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Portland Trail Blazers: 3 reasons to trade for Paul Millsap

By Stevie Cozens

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 05: Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball during the first quarter against the LA Clippers in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 05, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 05: Paul Millsap #4 of the Denver Nuggets passes the ball during the first quarter against the LA Clippers in Game Two of the Western Conference Second Round during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at the ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on September 05, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /

Reason #2 – his salary is a perfect match with Rodney Hood’s

For a couple of reasons, Rodney Hood is the most tradeable player on the Blazers. With Anfernee Simons playing better and being firmly in the rotation, along with Gary Trent Jr continuing to breakout, Hood’s place in the rotation is in jeopardy.

Though he is still trying to find his form after a devastating Achilles tear in 2020, Hood has serious competition at the wing spot. What may hurt him the most, is with lesser athleticism, he isn’t a threat at all off the bounce or getting to the line.

Combined with his $10 million contract, all of the above means that Hood is the most likely to be moved this year. We detailed this week because the Blazers have to pay Trent Jr in the next off-season, that Hood may also be moved for that reason.

He has a two-year deal at around $10 million for both years, but the second year is non-guaranteed.

Millsap has a one-year deal, but at the same number. Because of his age, and then the Nuggets luxury tax concerns, I can’t see them bringing Millsap back in the 2021 season.

They have Nikola Jokic on a max deal already, with Jamal Murray about to commence his max next season, and then a likely big deal for Michael Porter Jr too, who incidentally plays the same position as Millsap.

If the Nuggets decide that they want to embrace Porter fully this year as their future third option, they may move Millsap for an off-ball player like Hood. The Blazers would need to attach an asset if Hood’s play doesn’t get back to an acceptable level, be that a young player or a pick.