5 Malcolm Brogdon trades Blazers should already be exploring
By Tyler Watts
The Portland Trail Blazers traded Damian Lillard to the Bucks and flipped Jrue Holiday to the Celtics this week. It helped them to get a monster haul for Dame to kick off their rebuild, but Portland is not done. The Blazers just acquired Malcolm Brogdon and are fielding calls on the veteran guard.
Boston nearly traded Brogdon in the Kristaps Porzingis deal before things fell apart. The Celtics pivoted to including Marcus Smart, but opposing teams were interested in Brogdon. Portland won’t get a massive haul, but they should be able to find a contender willing to part with a protected first-round pick.
It will be weird not seeing Damian Lillard in a Blazers uniform, but the show must go on. Portland needs to maximize their assets as they build around Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons, so what is next?
Malcolm Brogdon trades the Portland Trail Blazers should already be exploring
5. Bulls dump Lonzo to try to contend
The Bulls already ruled Lonzo Ball out for the season and were granted a disabled player exception. He won’t play, but Chicago wants to contend. Could they move on from the talented guard and upgrade their roster?
Ball has two years and $41.8 million remaining on his contract. Portland is in no rush to contend and may be willing to take on his deal for the right price.
Is one unprotected first-rounder enough? The Blazers could gamble that the Bulls are rebuilding by 2027, and it turns into a top-ten pick. Portland has a talented young backcourt and zero reasons to keep Brogdon. Turning him into an unprotected first-round pick is the ideal scenario, even if they have to take on a negative contract to do it.
The Chicago Bulls are unlikely to part with Lonzo Ball and give back the disabled player exception, but this is a trade worth exploring for both sides.