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Portland Trail Blazers: 3 mid-season trades to consider

By Stevie Cozens

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks to pass against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on April 25, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 25: Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the Cleveland Cavaliers looks to pass against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on April 25, 2021 in Washington, DC. 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 Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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The Portland Trail Blazers roster is just one spot away from being full, but, the team still hasn’t really been improved from last season. Considering all the talk around improving the team by Damian Lillard after the disappointing playoff loss, the Blazers off-season has been largely underwhelming.

The signings the Blazers have made in the off-season haven’t been bad ones, but they are value signings on the minimum, for three bench players. These signings don’t improve the team significantly, they just give the bench a little backup.

If the Blazers are to improve the team so they can push for home court in the playoffs, or potentially win a playoff series, then the only way to do it now, is to use the trade market.

Here are three mid-season trades for the Portland Trail Blazers to consider

. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

Trade #1 – Derrick Jones Jr and a first-round pick for Larry Nance Jr

Derrick Jones Jr is an athletic wing man who doesn’t really have a permanent place in this Blazers rotation. After falling out of the rotation last season, and seeing his starting small forward spot go to Norman Powell, he watched all bar 10 minutes of the playoffs from the bench.

This season, he will likely have his work cut out for him as he competes with the ever-improving Nassir Little for backup three / four spots.

Jones Jr could come back this season and force his way into big minutes. But, if he doesn’t, then he is the best trade chip the Blazers have to improve at the deadline.

The Blazers don’t have a true power forward currently, but have three and d forward Robert Covington there instead. Covington can play the four, but he makes this Blazers team pretty small by moving him up a spot.

Looking at the Cleveland interesting roster with $100 million big man and number three pick Evan Mobley, it’s clear that Larry Nance Jr is surplus to requirements.

Nance would instantly change the Blazers frontcourt as a six-foot-seven power forward who is uber-athletic and possesses a massive seven-foot-one wingspan.

This Blazer team hasn’t had a lot of athleticism in the open court in recent years, with high flyer Norman Powell only a recent addition. But Nance, as a lob threat and finisher in transition could change this for the Blazers. With his three-point shooting coming on recently, Nance is an option as a big that can make passes off the short roll, or who can roll or pop in the pick and roll as well.

He is also a defender who has some versatility, being able to block shots without getting cooked out on the floor. Nance is on a team-friendly deal that reduces in salary next year. A protected first would likely need to go out in the deal.

The Cavs just need to get in as many assets as they can at this point, so a pick and Jones Jr make sense.