Larry Nance Jr, Cleveland Cavaliers (photo by Erik Drost, via Wikimedia)
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.
Rodney Hood, Anfernee Simons, and two second-round picks to the Houston Rockets for PJ Tucker and DeMarcus Cousins.
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.
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.
Derrick Jones Jr., Anfernee Simons, and Zach Collins to the Cleveland Cavaliers for JaVale McGee and Larry Nance Jr.
Javale Mcghee is a good defender who can step in right away as either starting or backup center. Larry Nance Jr. adds another veteran who can play power forward. In turn, Covington can return to small forward, where he is more effective. Nance Jr is a capable defender who, like PJ Tucker, converts the triple at a high percentage.
Cleveland gets some young players with potential in Simons and DJJ, who can better fit with the team’s younger nucleus. Zach Collins serves as $5M in cap relief for this trade if the Cavs decide not to offer him an extension.
Rodney Hood and a second-round pick to the Washington Wizards for Robin Lopez and Raul Neto.
The Portland Trail Blazers bring back an old ally and mascot rival in Lopez. He gives Portland a solid backup center familiar with the system and has improved his three-point shooting in recent years. Neto is a solid veteran who can eat some backup point guard minutes. He’s also shooting the ball at a high percentage this year.
Washington takes a flier on Rodney Hood. If he can return to form from his Achillies injury and have an impact, it’s a big win. If not, the Wizards can walk away. Washington also gains an asset with the second-round pick.
Kent Bazemore trade exception and a second-round pick to the Detroit Pistons for Jahlil Okafor.
A cheaper, low-risk move that allows the Blazers to obtain a player in Okafor who, after having a promising rookie season, has regressed to a role player but is still relatively young and could take up some space at the backup center or PF positions.
A team outside the playoff picture saves $1.9M and gains a second-round pick while doing it.
Rodney Hood, Derrick Jones Jr, Zach Collins, Anfernee Simons, and a 2022 first-round pick to the Orlando Magic for Aaron Gordon and Mo Bamba.
Portland pools its assets together to add an athletic power forward in Gordon, who was rumored to have been on the team’s radar this most recent offseason. He would immediately start at power forward, again allowing Covington to move to the three. Bamba backs up Kanter, allowing Harry Giles to move to the backup four, where he seems a little more comfortable.
With Markelle Fultz out for the season, taking a gamble on Anfernee Simons could be Orlando’s answer. Portland has a good reputation for developing guards. The addition of wing players DJJ and Hood gives the Magic more depth than they previously had.
Orlando could also cut out about $16M in salary if they decide to let Hood and Collins walk after the season ends. A big trade like this might take more than one first-round pick to make it happen. But if an additional second-round pick or two is needed, Portland still makes the deal.
Do you think these trades would be enough to keep the Portland Trail Blazers afloat in the competitive Western Conference until Nurk and CJ come back? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.