Portland Trail Blazers: Breaking down the off-season, move by move
The Portland Trail Blazers have had one of their best off-seasons in recent memory. Let’s break down their moves one by one.
The Portland Trail Blazers have just completed one of their most successful seasons in recent memory. Neil Olshey and his front office colleagues have used every resource available to bring in players that will push this team into championship contention.
Let’s break down every offseason move.
Offseason move one
Traded Trevor Ariza and two first-round picks to the Houston Rockets for Robert Covington
This first move by Neil Olshey signaled his intention right away to improve the roster. Just a day or so after the trade window opened, Olshey was able to bring in one of the best two-way role players in the entire league in Robert Covington.
Giving up a 35-year-old Trevor Ariza who was only on a one-year deal, as well as this year’s number 16 pick, and a protected 2021 first-round pick, the Blazers got a clear upgrade at the forward position.
Covington is still only 29, is a former All-Defense team selection, and is one of the best volume three-point shooting role players in the NBA.
Olshey could have selected a player with the 16th pick, but they have no time to bring someone up to speed who they selected on the edge of the lottery. By moving this pick and next year’s one, they signaled their attention to go all-in on this core.
Covington still has two years left on a deal that is cheaper than Ariza’s as well. Covington can guard some of the league’s best forwards while also leaping passing lanes and swatting shots at some of the highest rates in the NBA for his position.