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Portland Trail Blazers: 3 trades to keep the season afloat

By Zach Ciavolella

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 18: Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs works towards the basket against Nassir Little #9 and Anfernee Simons #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter at Moda Center on January 18, 2021 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 18: Keldon Johnson #3 of the San Antonio Spurs works towards the basket against Nassir Little #9 and Anfernee Simons #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter at Moda Center on January 18, 2021 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers
Ben McLemore, Houston Rockets vs. Portland Trail Blazers (Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports) /

Remember when I said, “you cannot get ‘something for nothing'”? Well, it’s true and it’s not. While it’s certainly true that teams won’t give something up unless they get something in return, they will take next to nothing.

The Houston Rockets are on their way to a rebuild. Currently 4-8 (14th in the West), the Rockets are likely to have a firesale around the trade deadline. That sale will almost surely include their prime expiring deals (PJ Tucker, Ben McLemore, Danuel House).

If the Rockets are interested in Rodney Hood or if the Blazers find a third team for Hood there could be a deal for Tucker (who is the crown jewel of the three) but that seems unlikely.

Instead, the Blazers should take advantage of the leftover money from the trade exception they created when they traded Kent Bazemore to the Sacramento Kings. Initially valued at over $7 million, the Blazers used a portion to reacquire Enes Kanter.

After the Kanter trade, the leftover portion of the exception is worth roughly $2.3 million, as it happens, just above McLemore’s salary worth $2.2 million.

McLemore is an athletic wing whose shot is pure, at least this season. Currently shooting 51.6% from deep, McLemore has taken his shooting to the next level. He might not be able to hold 50% but this is the third year his average has been above 40% which isn’t too bad either.

The primary concern is his 2P% which is a lowly 31.3 percent. That is, by a good bit, the worst of his career. Hopefully, he’s able to turn things around but as long as he’s shooting 40+ percent from three, who honestly cares.

The Rockets aren’t in a position to bargain and unless a team like Portland is willing to offer a pick, McLemore is likely headed for the buyout market.

Could the Blazers wait and then try and sign him then? Sure, but a player like McLemore is worth securing early. If the Portland Trail Blazers play the buyout market a player like David Nwaba is in that “wait and see” category.