Portland Trail Blazers: 5 damage control big man trades
Rob Ryan
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Injuries continue to pile up for the Portland Trail Blazers. Here are five trade ideas to bolster a thinning roster.
It’s damage control time for the Portland Trail Blazers after Jusuf Nurkic, and CJ McCollum joined Zach Collins in the infirmary. They have to bolster their roster quickly. By the time Portland’s stars return, it may be too late.
Here are five big man trades Portland General Manager Neil Olshey should consider pursuing once February 6 hits and offseason signings and trade acquisitions can be moved. Of course, it’s never simple to just make a trade. There are plenty of considerations, mostly of the salary cap variety, that play a big part in any NBA Trade.
Trade Idea #1 – Houston
Rodney Hood, Anfernee Simons, and two second-round picks to the Houston Rockets for PJ Tucker and DeMarcus Cousins.
How does this trade help Portland?
Portland adds a capable defender In Tucker who can guard players much taller than himself while hitting threes at a high percentage. Tucker reminds me of a bulkier version of the former two-time NBA champion Mario Elie.
These are the exact kind of role players contending teams love to have. “Boogie” Cousins is a former all-star who can get points and rebounds off the bench. He can also move to the power forward slot next to Kanter once Nurkic comes back.
How does this trade help Houston?
Rodney Hood’s contract has a second-year team option. Houston can let the sharpshooter walk if they’d rather save money than bring him back. Simons gives the Rockets a young player to develop behind John Wall as they seek to form a new post- Harden identity. The pair of second-round picks are additional assets for Houston to use for their rebuild.
DeMarcus Cousins looking confident as a Rocket. ? pic.twitter.com/5Xc0xyecCq
— House of Highlights (@HoHighlights) January 1, 2021