Rip City Project
Fansided

Portland Trail Blazers: 5 trades to cover for the injured Jusuf Nurkic

By Stevie Cozens

Jan 9, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba (5) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Orlando Magic center Mo Bamba (5) warms up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Mandatory Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports /

Trade #3 – Rodney Hood for Nerlens Noel and Austin Rivers

Former lottery pick Nerlens Noel is a defensive centerpiece that can help most teams in the NBA.

The 27-year-old six-foot-eleven big man signed a one-year $5 million deal with New York Knicks in the 2020 Free Agency period.

Noel is one of the best shot-blocking and turnover forcing bigs per minute in the NBA. His seven-foot-four wingspan and big hands enable him to protect the rim well, while also being an excellent offensive rebounder.

With Mitchell Robinson and Taj Gibson on the roster as well as Obi Toppin and Julius Randle, there aren’t a huge amount of big man minutes to go around.

Noel is on a one-year deal on a rebuilding Knicks team with no real direction or even definite building blocks.

Thus far, with his low minutes total, Noel could be a candidate for a trade to a contender. Offensively, he is limited, but he is a great finisher at the rim, and has nice touch too.

Because of his salary, he would need to be combined with another guy like Austin Rivers. That would mean a pick may need to be attached, as Hood would effectively be a salary dump unless he increases his value.