Portland Trail Blazers: 3 mid-season trades to consider

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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Trade #2 – Derrick Jones Jr and a second-round pick for Daniel Theis

Similar to the above trade, the Blazers could send a second-round pick, this time to the tanking Houston Rockets to bring back big man Daniel Theis.

Theis, like Nance, can play the four and the five and has playoff experience with the Boston Celtics. At 29, he stands six-foot-eight, and has a plus wingspan. He is a great passer and a developing three-point shooter.

After spending most of his career with the Boston Celtics, Theis was traded to the Chicago Bulls at the deadline last year, before signing a new three-year $25 million deal with the Rockets.

As a big who can defend and pass with some floor stretching ability, he could play some minutes next to either Jusuf Nurkic at the four or play as a backup five next to Robert Covington.

Theis gives the four position better positional size because of his big body and strength, while also moving Covington to the three in certain lineups, and aiding the creation of the entire unit.

Defensively, Theis can protect the rim, and defend out on the floor competently.

With his current rotation status as a starting four, he has slightly more value than Jones Jr, hence the pick going the way of the Rockets.

The Rockets can continue to build their asset base, and swap the younger Jones Jr in, to pair a defender with their offensive core.