Rip City Project
Fansided

Ranking 4 lucrative trade packages for Blazers to deal Scoot for a star

By Josh Cornelissen

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 02: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors drives against Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on January 02, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 02: Pascal Siakam #43 of the Toronto Raptors drives against Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans during the first half at the Smoothie King Center on January 02, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers
Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors and Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers. Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images /

Trade No. 4: Raptors claw up to No. 3

The Toronto Raptors were the early team to get into the Scoot Henderson rumor mill, and the reason makes sense. They are at a franchise crossroads, much like Portland is: do they commit to their current core or move the veterans to get younger and retool around Scottie Barnes?

Adding Scoot makes sense for either path, honestly, but especially so if they are going to undergo a youth movement. Their best player is Pascal Siakam, and he would be the centerpiece for their offer for No. 3:

For Toronto, they can pair Henderson and Anfernee Simons in the backcourt with Gary Trent Jr. coming off the bench or flipped to another team. Barnes and OG Anunoby would man the forward spots. That team probably has more balance than the current roster, and it’s a whole lot younger.

The Trail Blazers would get off of the contract of Jusuf Nurkic and would pair Pascal Siakam and Jerami Grant in the frontcourt, with plenty of optionality to play Siakam at the 5. With the No. 12 pick, they could add a wing like Gradey Dick or a center like Dereck Lively II to the mix.

Is it enough? Probably not, considering that Siakam is a shaky shooter (although an underrated passer) and is already well into his prime. Henderson looks like an All-Star lock and could be a Blazer for the next decade; they would need more of an upgrade to make it worth the move.