Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin has proven in past deals that he's willing to include valuable draft capital in trades. That unconventional approach could backfire down the road and potentially limit Portland's ceiling, but to his credit, he absolutely nailed the Deni Avdija deal.
Avdija was a sleeper as his talent flew under the radar on a rebuilding Wizards team despite being a top-ten pick. The Blazers' roster has drastically improved, but they are still a piece or two away from making serious noise. They should look to buy low on another Avdija-type deal this summer, although that's easier said than done.
These three players fit the Avdija criteria as they are former lottery picks on team-friendly deals and align with Portland's timeline and roster needs.
1. Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks
Onyeka Okongwu had that breakout campaign that many have been waiting for. He averaged 13.4 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 0.9 blocks on 57/32/76 shooting splits, finally surpassing Clint Capela as the Hawks' top center option.
His skill set was on full display in their play-in loss to the Heat, where Okongwu totaled 28 points and 12 rebounds. That could make it more challenging to convince Atlanta to part ways with their 24-year-old big man, but it's clear they need to do something to shake up their roster after continually hovering around a play-in team for the majority of the Trae Young era.
Okongwu would be a perfect fit for the Blazers' frontcourt, providing them with a non-traditional big man to complement Donovan Clingan.
2. Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic
Anfernee Simons has long been rumored to go back to his hometown area in a trade with the Orlando Magic. But in these hypothetical deals, the Blazers often receive a first-round pick and some combination of Jett Howard, Cole Anthony, and, if they're lucky, Anthony Black.
But, besides Black, the one player Portland should be trying to pry away from Orlando is Jonathan Isaac.
With Paolo Banchero's extension coming, the Magic must make difficult roster decisions. Perhaps they could be more open to including Isaac to balance their roster better.
Isaac does have some durability concerns, but his 6-foot-10 frame and defensive versatility would help bolster the Blazers' identity. They still need more depth behind Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara, and Isaac would fit in seamlessly with what Cronin is starting to build in Portland.
3. Aaron Nesmith, Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers advanced to the second round of the playoffs after defeating the Milwaukee Bucks for the second consecutive year. They may not have a superstar-caliber player like Giannis Antetokounmpo, but Indiana more than made up for it with their depth. They arguably have the deepest team in the playoffs, with underrated names like Aaron Nesmith.
Coming out of Vanderbilt, Nesmith's main strength was his shooting ability, which led him to be a late lottery pick in 2020. The Blazers are a bottom-of-the-barrel team when it comes to three-point shooting and could use someone like Nesmith, a career 38.5 percent shooter, to help open up driving lanes.
Besides shooting, Nesmith's defense was largely overlooked as a prospect, and he's quietly emerged as one of the better two-way wings. He'd be an ideal addition to Portland's young core.