Portland Trail Blazers: 3 trades to improve the terrible team defense

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 28: Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half at the Smoothie King Center on February 28, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Bachman/Getty Images) /

2 of 3

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

Trade #2 – Harry Giles and a second-round pick for David Nwaba

Though this may look like a low-level move, having one more defensive piece off the bench could provide the backups with some extra depth.

Giles has barely been playing, so he would fit better on a Houston Rockets team that is low on big men.

The Rockets have just DeMarcus Cousins and Christian Wood as big men, so they could use Giles in a season where they are likely not to be competing for a playoff spot.

Giles would give production off the bench and could slip in at the four in some lineups too.

The Blazers could use the energetic David Nwaba as a piece off the bench to play the three and four on the second unit. He would help to protect the rim with these bench players, while also giving a man defender who could guard wings alongside the younger Trent.

Any bench unit with Melo playing alongside Kanter, needs to have other defensive pieces to make sure the second unit doesn’t get completely torched.

The second-round pick that the Blazers would send wouldn’t be a great one, but could help the re-building Rockets gather assets.

Nwaba is a strong defensive player who finishes well at the rim on most of his possessions.