Grade the trade idea: Andrew Wiggins heads to Portland in blockbuster proposal
By Reese Kunz
The Portland Trail Blazers could be content with Deni Avdija being the only trade they make this offseason. They are under the luxury tax and are well-positioned to have a bottom-five record in the NBA, setting themselves up for what could be a top pick in a 2025 NBA Draft loaded with coveted prospects.
At the same time, the Blazers also have multiple players who make sense as trade pieces—whether that's because they don't fit the rebuilding timeline, are in the way of younger players, contracts are too hefty, have high trade value, or a combination of these reasons—if the right deal comes along.
Blazers receive Andrew Wiggins, Gary Payton II
In this mock proposal, Bleacher Report's Dan Favale has the Blazers landing Andrew Wiggins and Gary Payton II. The elephant in the room with this trade idea is GP2's Portland reunion. He'd be going from Golden State to Portland, to Golden State, back to Portland? Favale has this to say regarding the hypothetical situation: "Re-acquiring GP2 is a bit awkward given how things ended between the two parties in 2023. Portland can get over it."
Andrew Wiggins is underappreciated, mainly because he was held to a higher standard entering the league as the No. 1 overall pick in 2014. Wiggins is coming off of a down year in which he averaged a career-low 13.2 points per game, but he would help address the Blazers' most significant need as a two-way wing player who is a capable three-point shooter. And if he has a bounce-back season like the Warriors are expecting, the Blazers could potentially explore moving him for a younger asset.
He also isn't an All-Star level player, meaning he wouldn't significantly impact the Blazers' record; this would keep them in contention for the best odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick next summer, especially if they lose Ayton in the process.
Of course, as with any trade, this depends on what the Blazers would have to give up. Wiggins and Payton II are solid pieces, but neither fits Portland's rebuilding timeline. So, what's the catch?