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Portland Trail Blazers: 3 blockbuster trades for Draymond Green

By Stevie Cozens

PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in game three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Moda Center on May 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in game three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Moda Center on May 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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Point guard Damian Lillard has told the Portland Trail Blazers to trade for Draymond Green. Which 3 blockbuster trades could the Blazers make for Green?

In the midst of a defensive nightmare, Portland Trail Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard and his camp have requested that the Blazers front office trade for defensive ace Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors.

It’s no surprise that Lillard is fed up with the Blazers’ mediocre defense. They have consistently been ranked near the bottom of the league for the last five years, and this year they have started the season ranked 29th before the matchup with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The most frustrating part is that they have added defensive pieces in Derrick Jones Jr and Robert Covington, and given more minutes to Gary Trent Jr. Their defensive personnel is better, but the results are still poor.

Sam Amick of The Athletic broke the news on their NBA show.

"“If we were handicapping Draymond trade destinations if the Warriors decided to blow it up—that’s the one [the Blazers]. Damian and his group have for the last couple years been campaigning for that.”"

Lillard has, not surprisingly, been requesting the Blazers to bring Green in for a while.

If the Portland Trail Blazers decided to pursue Green, which 3 blockbuster trades could they make?

Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers, celebration. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

Trail Blazers trades for Draymond Green – move Jusuf Nurkic and Robert Covington

Any trade involving Jusuf Nurkic would be controversial with the fanbase, but the reason these trades would be made is so the Blazers can get closer to that championship ring.

There aren’t many pieces on the Blazers roster that can return a championship ready defensive forward like Green. Nurkic is one of those.

The Warriors would get one defensive piece in Covington to help replace Green, and then a young center in Jusuf Nurkic that could help them right away by splitting minutes with young big James Wiseman.

If the Warriors were to do this type of deal, it probably means that they are tanking this season out because of injury, and getting what they can for Draymond before he ages. The Warriors could move Nurkic again to a team that needs a big for a playoff run as well. They could this if they do decide to tank, or reset and wait for Klay Thompson to return in 2022.

For the Blazers, they would add a power forward in Green who could form the defensive identity they so badly need.

Green is one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history, and alongside Derrick Jones Jr, he could form a small ball five that could wreak havoc against opposition offenses.

Green could play some five because of his passing skill, giving a lob threat alongside Jones, while also having his excellent help abilities on defense.