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5 Trades for role players that could help the Blazers become contenders

By Rowan Kent

Mar 24, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1), left, center Jusuf Nurkic (27) and guard Damian Lillard (0) sit on the bench during in street clothes during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 24, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1), left, center Jusuf Nurkic (27) and guard Damian Lillard (0) sit on the bench during in street clothes during the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic – Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
Wendell Carter Jr., Orlando Magic – Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports /

Trade #4:

Armed with two lottery picks, the reigning Rookie of the Year, and a high-upside wing in Franz Wagner, the Orlando Magic look primed to take a leap next season if they trade in some of their valuable assets and push for the playoffs.

Luckily, they need a point guard who both fits their timeline and creates offense for himself, which is what the Blazers have in Simons.

Moving him to Orlando alongside Nurkic would give the Magic one of the most potent young offenses in the league, while giving the Blazers the type of gritty talent they need to compete in the West. The team would trade out two offensive-minded players at point guard and center for two defensive-oriented players, alongside a boom-or-bust flier on a potential all-league defender.

Wendell Carter Jr. is one of the more underrated players in the league, as he can hit shots from deep, finish inside, and control the defense as a solid rim protector. Despite his offensive deficiencies, Markelle Fultz is a wholly worthy bench guard who can make flashy dunks and hound opposing ball-handlers for an entire game.

The swing piece here is Isaac as, if healthy, he could give the Blazers the skeleton-key defender that the team has craved for years. Putting all three of these rugged defenders on the Blazers could lead to the team vaulting into the top part of the league in defensive efficiency and turn it into a dark horse title contender.