The Portland Trail Blazers season hasn’t begun, but Neil Olshey will still have an eye on the trade market. Which 3 deals could be made at the deadline?
The Portland Trail Blazers are just a few weeks away from regular-season competition, but Neil Olshey will still likely have one eye on the trade market.
Though this Blazers team has impressive depth, no smart general manager would let a trade opportunity or player upgrade pass them by.
Many NBA teams may look to improve in the 2020 season by swapping a big for a guard or vice versa. There will also be tanking teams who may be looking to offload players for assets. The Blazers have a strong team from roster spots 1 – 14, but they could bring back a trade target or two in a deal.
Which 3 deals could the Blazers make before the trade deadline?
The Blazers have one current problem with their roster – guard creation behind Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. They currently have just Anfernee Simons, a heat-up quick guy who can get his own shot but cannot set up his teammates. Ant still has time to grow into his role as a backup guard, but the Blazers may still want to bring in another backup creator to drive efficient offense.
Though he is 36-years-old, J.J. Redick is still one of the best shooters in the league and could pair well on a second unit with guys like Harry Giles. When McCollum is sitting, Redick could play with Dame, and when Dame is sitting, Redick could form a lethal two-man partnership with Jusuf Nurkic.
Redick is coming to the end of the years where he will be a plus player on an NBA team, but this is a move to give the Blazers a knockdown shooter at the highest levels. They need to contend now, and Redick is still close to his best.
Redick is one of the greatest three-point shooters of all-time at a career rate of 41.6 percent, and he would likely want to be on a team that is contending for a title and at least a strong playoff run.
Redick has a great two-man game with bigs, while also being able to create for others a little in the pick and roll.
As the Blazers would inherit his early bird rights, they could bring him back on a long-term deal after he comes off contract next summer.
By sending Rodney Hood out in this deal, the Pelicans would save a little salary but would get a shooter who could still create his own shot while being a bit younger and fitting their timeline better. The Pelicans would also save a little salary in this move, and get a second-round pick.
Gary Trent Jr. will need to be paid by the Blazers next summer, so he is the longterm two / three for this team. Sending Hood out makes sense as Trent continues to develop though.