3. Zach LaVine
This would be the blockbuster of the 2023 trade deadline, and it would surely cost the Blazers significant assets – think some combination of Simons, Nurkic, future first-round picks, and Shaedon Sharpe. Gary Payton II and/or Josh Hart may also need to be included to match salaries as LaVine is only in the first year of a five-year, $215 million contract.
But the deal would immediately vault Portland into contention and add serious scoring – and lots of it.
LaVine has improved as a playmaker, but at his core, he’s a pure bucket-getter. He has averages of 23.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists this year for a Chicago Bulls team that has fallen short of expectations thus far. He’s hitting 38.5 percent from three on a high volume.
Not only would he add immediate scoring punch to the starting lineup, but he would give head coach Chauncey Billups another option in terms of staggering his best players. Billups could keep at least one of Damian Lillard, LaVine, and Jerami Grant on the floor at all times.
Whether or not the Bulls are ready to trade a franchise player like LaVine and reload again remains a question. But he would be a monumental game-changer in Portland alongside Lillard and, potentially Grant if he resigns, for the Blazers.