The Portland Trail Blazers have garnered significant attention this offseason, particularly with the No. 3 overall pick they secured in the 2023 NBA Draft. Many fans, players, and NBA executives are eager to see what moves they will make involving the pick.
It’s a crucial decision for the Portland front office to make – whether to rebuild around the pick and trade Damian Lillard for younger assets or to trade the pick for more veteran help and try to win now while Lillard is coming off a career-best season.
While many reports lean toward the latter option, the ultimate decision is yet to be made as the Blazers still have weeks to go before the 2023 NBA Draft on June 22.
This article focuses on potential trade targets whose current teams undervalue them for one reason or another and would not necessarily require the Blazers to give up a “star package” return, given their respective situations.
These players could complement Lillard, Jerami Grant (if Portland can re-sign him), and any co-star acquired in exchange for the No. 3 overall draft pick. That selection is a significant asset to give up; this handful of players would still be solid options but wouldn’t require Portland to trade that pick away.
Discount trade target No. 1: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
After reaching the NBA Finals in 2021, Phoenix has fallen short in the playoffs for two consecutive seasons. Ayton’s frustration is palpable, with outbursts even occurring during games.
The Suns need depth and role players after their blockbuster trade for Kevin Durant. They are now top-heavy with Durant and Devin Booker and need to spend this offseason building around that duo.
Trading Ayton could make sense for the Suns, as he’s underperformed relative to their expectations of him as the No. 1 overall pick in 2018.
With new owner Mat Ishbia at the helm, Phoenix has already shown a willingness to make bold moves. The Suns traded for Durant shortly after Ishbia took over the franchise and also fired Monty Williams after losing to the Nuggets in the second round of the playoffs.
Ayton may benefit from a change of scenery and has been involved in trade rumors before Phoenix’s exit from this season’s playoffs. Given their mutual dissatisfaction and the Suns’ pressing need for depth pieces, the former No. 1 overall pick could be had for a relative bargain.
Potential Blazers trade package for Ayton:
ESPN’s trade machine projection: Blazers +5 wins
A package mentioned in another RIp City Project article was “Simons, Nassir Little, the 2023 first-round pick from the Knicks (23rd overall), and a depth piece, such as Trendon Watford or Keon Johnson.”
These two trade proposals share a similarity: Simons and the 23rd overall pick. The specific details regarding Nurkic, Little, or additional depth would need to be worked out.
Should either of these trades go through, the Suns would gain several players who could play alongside Durant and Booker with Simons being the focal piece.
Simons would fit in seamlessly as a shooter to stretch the floor and allow Booker and Durant to work their magic. Furthermore, Simons can create opportunities for his teammates, benefiting the Suns’ elite shooters. As a bonus, he would also serve as a bridge for the aging Chris Paul, who is now 38.
How Ayton would fit with Blazers
Ayton’s game is impressive, with a great mid-range shot and a soft touch around the rim. He averaged 18.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 0.8 blocks this season on 59/29/76 shooting splits.
Ayton is a promising young player with plenty of potential for growth. One area in which he could improve is being more aggressive in exploiting mismatches in the low post rather than settling for a turnaround jumper against smaller guards.
Additionally, he has shown some inconsistencies on both offense and defense, but has demonstrated the ability to play at a high level in short bursts. Overall, Ayton is a talented player who has the potential to become a dominant force on the court as he continues to develop.
Compared to Nurkic, who averaged 13.3 points per game this year, Ayton would be a significant upgrade at the center position. He would work well with Lillard in pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop situations.
Defensively, Ayton is more agile and would be a better option for the Blazers’ current problem of not having a versatile big that can switch out onto the perimeter.
All the skills and athleticism that made Ayton the No. 1 pick are still there, and a change of scenery could be the thing to bring more of it out of him.
Discount trade target No. 2: John Collins, Atlanta Hawks
It’s no secret that John Collins has been the subject of trade rumors for quite some time. Yet, despite the constant speculation, he has managed to remain in Atlanta.
However, this past season was Collins’ worst since his rookie year. He averaged 13.1 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.0 blocks on 51/29/80 shooting splits in 30 minutes per game. Collins was inconsistent in the playoffs, scoring fewer than 9 points in three of six games against the Boston Celtics.
Because of this, Collins’ trade value may be even more diminished, making him a discounted player to target.
Potential Blazers trade package for Collins
ESPN’s trade machine projection: Blazers +3 wins
A Collins trade might have to be more complicated than a two-team trade. The players that match Collins’ contract and are likely to be included in a significant deal are either Simons or Nurkic.
However, the Hawks don’t need either of those players’ skill sets. They already have enough shooting with Trae Young and would have the same defensive liability problem as the Blazers have if they played Simons alongside Young.
They’re also set at the center position with Clint Capela and Onyeka Okwongwu.
Atlanta needs more wings, and a team with an excess amount of wings is the Brooklyn Nets.
The Hawks get two-way wings in Dorian Finney-Smith and Little to replace Collins, who combined make roughly $6.5 million a year less than Collins. They are good systematic fits for the Hawks’ style of play and could better cover for Young defensively.
Meanwhile, the main asset the Nets would be excited about is another first-round pick as they continue to retool after their blockbuster trade deadline moves.
How Collins would fit with Blazers
Collins would be a great addition to the Blazers as a power forward. His rebounding would be an upgrade to Grant’s 4.5 per game, and Grant would be able to move to his more natural small forward spot if Portland re-signs him in this scenario.
Although Collins didn’t shoot exceptionally well this season, he’s a career 35.6 percent 3-point shooter and can help stretch the floor. Another advantage of having Collins is his height of 6-foot-9, which would provide the Blazers with much-needed length, versatility, and rebounding.
Additionally, Collins is only 25 years old and could fit nicely alongside the Blazers’ promising core.
However, it’s worth noting that Collins has an injury history – he’s barely played 60 games per season in his first six seasons.
Discount trade target No. 3: Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors and Blazers both face a significant decision point in their franchises. While Stephen Curry is now 35 and Klay Thompson and Draymond Green are 33, the Warriors have a young prospect in Kuminga who is 20 years old and still developing.
Like the Blazers with Lillard and their young players such as Simons and Shaedon Sharpe, the Warriors must decide in which direction to take their franchise. Although Golden State was able to extend its timeline while winning a championship last season, the recent second-round playoff loss to the Lakers suggests that it may be time for the team to choose a definitive route.
Additionally, the departure of long-time general manager Bob Myers may lead to further organizational changes.
These factors could result in Kuminga being a relatively inexpensive option for the Blazers compared to his actual value as both a prospect and player.
Potential Blazers trade package for Kuminga
ESPN’s trade machine projection: Blazers +0 wins
OG Anunoby is 25 and much more equipped to win now than Kuminga for the Warriors. Not only is Anunoby a lockdown defender, he is also a much better fit in Golden State’s offensive system as a 3-point shooter capable of cutting and coming off multiple screens.
The Raptors have been searching for an answer at center, recently trading a 2024 first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs for Jakob Poeltl. However, Poeltl’s contract expires this summer, and the Raptors could be interested in Nurkic as a replacement.
In addition, Toronto would be compensated with multiple first-round draft picks, allowing them to retool around Scottie Barnes and Pascal Siakam (or the younger assets they get for him in a separate trade).
How Kuminga would fit with Blazers
Portland isn’t projected to win more games as a result of this trade. However, adding Kuminga to the roster would set the team up for a promising future. Sharpe and Kuminga would make a formidable and highly athletic duo of up-and-coming players.
Kuminga’s skillset would make him a more suitable player to add to the Blazers’ core than Nurkic and could address their long-term need for a forward alongside Grant.
Kuminga is underrated as a floor spacer, as he shot 37.0 percent from three this past season. But, his primary skill set would be defending with his 6-foot-8 frame and versatile agility. The Blazers have been missing that two-way wing, and Kuminga has much more offensive upside than Matisse Thybulle.
This trade would not necessarily mean Portland has to choose between rebuilding or going all in. Even with Kuminga on board, they could still decide to trade the No. 3 pick for a more established veteran star in a separate deal.
Discount trade target No. 4: Bojan Bogdanovic, Detroit Pistons
Bogdanovic is 34 years old and doesn’t fit the Pistons’ roster timeline. They’re rebuilding around star prospects Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey, as well as their fifth overall pick in this year’s draft.
Bogdanovic was heavily involved in trade rumors this past season, as teams anticipate the Pistons will make a move eventually.
Now could be a perfect time for Portland to strike. Detroit isn’t in win-now mode and realizes that Bojan’s stock will only continue to go down the older he gets.
Potential Blazers trade package for Bogdanovic
ESPN’s trade machine projection: Blazers +4 wins
The Blazers’ picks in 2025 won’t be as valuable if they’re going all-in with Lillard, which is the only reason they’d trade for Bogdanovic in the first place. Making it 2025 instead of next season also gives them the flexibility to deal their first-round picks in this year’s draft, as teams can’t trade first-round picks in back-to-back years.
Nurkic is a salary filler for the Pistons more than a need, as they already have Jalen Duren. Keon Johnson is a sweetener to get the deal done; he could be impactful in the future and fits Detroit’s timeline.
How Bogdanovic would fit with Blazers
Most shooters fit seamlessly into any team, and Bogdanovic is no exception. He’s a natural fit in most systems and brings a lot to the table as a spot-up shooter and a scorer who can create his own shot.
Last season, Bogdanovic averaged 21.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on efficient 49/41/88 shooting splits.
Bojan could be a better defender, and the Blazers ideally need more of a 3-and-D player at the wing position to complement Lillard. Even though Bogdanovic is more offensive-minded, he could make a lot of sense if he’s available at a discount.
He’s 6-7, a reliable veteran, and a 20-point-per-game scorer; that is hard to find in the league for relatively cheap.
The Blazers have been searching for a small forward, trying to fill the need in the aggregate with trades for Cam Reddish and Thybulle. In addition, Reddish and Thybulle are restricted free agents.
Bogdanovic could be the solution the Blazers have been looking for to give Lillard a better chance of winning without sacrificing a significant amount of their future.
Discount trade target No. 5: Buddy Hield, Indiana Pacers
Like the Pistons and Bogdanovic, the Pacers aren’t yet ready to contend for a championship and would be better off trading away their veteran assets. Hield, 30, doesn’t fit the Pacers’ timeline and has previously been involved in trade rumors.
Those rumors typically involve both Myles Turner and Hield, but, Hield is the one more likely to be available for a discount as Turner is 27 and fits the Pacers roster better in terms of both age and style of play as a rim protector.
Potential Blazers trade package for Hield
ESPN’s trade machine projection: Blazers +2 wins
This trade package is similar to the Pistons’ one for Bogdanovic. The Pacers don’t need Nurkic but receive him as a salary filler; this could also help if they decide to trade Turner.
How Hield would fit with Blazers
The Blazers are a solid shooting team already, but adding Hield could be a move to double down on that strength. Last season, Hield averaged 16.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.2 steals on 46/43/82 shooting splits.
However, at 6-4, Hield is too undersized to play a forward position, which the Blazers desperately need. Therefore, before pursuing Hield, the Blazers should consider exploring deals for players who make more sense as starters alongside their current core.
There are rumors that the Blazers are looking to make a blockbuster deal before or at the draft, and it may involve trading their No. 3 pick for a star player. If this happens, it could make sense to add Hield as part of a secondary deal to either add depth or find a starting shooting guard.
Hield’s elite shooting skills could make him a valuable player and provide Portland with a reliable floor spacer.
While Hield’s shooting isn’t necessarily a skill set the Blazers need, he could be a solid target if the price is right, especially with Simons and Sharpe being involved in trade rumors.