There are a few logical moves available to the Portland Trail Blazers as we inch closer to the 2024 NBA trade deadline, some more likely than others. Matisse Thybulle would be an in-demand three-and-D wing if general manager Joe Cronin decides he's acquirable. Jerami Grant would help a contending team. Dealing Anfernee Simons would be a massive shakeup.
What makes the most sense, though, is a Malcolm Brogdon trade.
The Trail Blazers will likely deal Malcolm Brogdon before the deadline
Portland acquired the 31-year-old guard in part B of the Damian Lillard trade when Cronin flipped Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics for Brogdon, Robert Williams III and draft picks. The veteran guard has done exactly what the Blazers needed him to do - be a buffer between 19-year-old rookie Scoot Henderson and the expectations facing a No. 3 overall pick.
Brogdon has played in 30 games this season, starting 16, and has been his usual efficient self. Last year's Sixth Man of the Year Award winner is averaging 14.7 points and 5.1 assists while shooting 41.3 percent from three on more than 5 attempts per game.
As Portland's backcourt has gotten healthy, though, and Henderson has taken the reigns more as the starting point guard, Brogdon's role and minutes have dwindled. He hasn't started since Jan. 3 and is averaging only 19.2 minutes since the calendar turned to 2024.
His skill set as a big guard who can lead an offense or play off the ball and defend multiple positions makes it easy to see why Brogdon would be attractive as a complementary piece on a contending team. He'll also come far cheaper than some of the bigger names on the trade market; he's reportedly available for a late first-round pick.
If he is moved at some point before the end of the day on Feb. 8, what kind of return could the Trail Blazers expect? Here are three possibilities that make sense from a Portland perspective.
Blazers trade Malcolm Brogdon to the New York Knicks
This deal, or a similar iteration of it, just makes too much sense not to be the most likely outcome if Portland moves on from Brogdon.
A swap for Fournier is an easy salary match, and if the Blazers' combo guard really is worth a late first-round pick, a lottery-protected one in a potentially loaded 2025 draft class would work for Portland.
As the Knicks are getting someone who will play valuable playoff minutes while the Blazers get a washed-up two-guard who will serve as bench depth, at best, a future second-rounder serves as a sweetener.
Brogdon is a perfect fit for New York. He can play next to the smaller Jalen Brunson and defend the bigger guards Brunson can't while operating as a spot-up shooter, secondary ball handler or lead guard when Brunson sits.
Knicks Head Coach Tom Thibodeau would immediately fall in love with Brogdon, an intelligent, selfless veteran with postseason experience.
3-team deal sends Brogdon to Lakers, picks to Portland
The Los Angeles Lakers are in the running for Atlanta Hawks guard Dejounte Murray, but in this scenario, they get a cheaper option who can still help a struggling backcourt. GM LeBron James also rids his team of Russell, who lands in a better spot in San Antonio where he can have more freedom to play with the ball in his hands and theoretically facilitate for Victor Wembanyama.
While they don't net a first-rounder, the Blazers get a quartet of second-round picks and a 20-year-old point guard prospect in Hood-Schifino. The 6-foot-5 Indiana product was the 17th pick in the 2023 draft. He projects as a bigger backcourt option with point-guard skills and some defensive versatility.
Two of the second-rounders come from LA and the other two from San Antonio. McDermott is on a $13.8 million expiring contract.
Blazers take a flier on another talented center, Magic get the steady guard they've been searching for
This is the most attractive deal from a Portland perspective.
Marc Stein reported (subscription required) earlier this month that Carter is a name to watch ahead of this year's trade deadline. The 24-year-old has only played in 14 games this season, starting 10 as Goga Bitadze and Mo Wagner have emerged to form a legitimate center duo for Orlando.
The 6-10, 270-pound big man, though, is only one year removed from averaging 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds on 53/36/74 shooting splits. Considering Deandre Ayton's struggles so far with the Blazers and Portland's limited backup options of Ibou Badji and Duop Reath, Carter could become a significant piece for Portland's future if he gets healthy and returns to form. He's locked into a team-friendly contract for another three seasons.
Meanwhile, Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs and rookie Anthony Black have played almost all of the point guard minutes this season for Orlando. If the Magic want to make a postseason push this year - they're only one game back of the East's No. 6 seed as of Jan. 16 - getting a steady veteran like Brogdon to play with Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner would be a major boost.