Portland Trail Blazers looking at big trade for Eastern Conference forward
Best case scenario?
The quickest path to becoming a contender would be for the Portland Trail Blazers to strike gold in the lottery with a top-three draft pick AND obtain the Pelicans pick. That way, they can select the team’s long-term power forward while moving the Pelican’s pick for Grant.
Imagine a starting lineup of Damian Lillard/Anfernee Simons/Grant/Banchero/Jusuf Nurkic (if they re-sign Nurk). That would be the most talented and versatile Blazers lineup in Rip City since the 1990s. A frontcourt with that kind of two-way capability would be the most help Lillard has ever had.
Additionally, coach Chauncey Billups gets contender-level talent to work with. He’d have a top 10 player in Damian Lillard with two players just entering their prime (Nurkic and Grant), with a pair of upcoming stars (Banchero and Simons).
Add in a bench with high-energy two-way players featuring Josh Hart, Nassir Little, Justise Winslow, and Trendon Watford. That’s a conder’s rotation, and Portland still has their remaining trade exceptions.
Worst-case scenario
As mentioned earlier, missing out on the Pelican’s pick and not ending up in the top-three with their own pick. Drafting a player that needs a few years to develop will only expedite the trade Dame rumors.
Damian Lillard is loyal to this team as long as they make winning in the present their highest priority. Nearing 32, Lillard’s desperation to contend leads to an expiration date for the franchise. How long is he willing to wait for the organization to get him there?
Adding Jerami Grant to this team is a pacifying move to please Lillard in the present. Striking out on Grant and a top-three pick might become the final failure that leads to Lillard asking to be moved. This also puts more pressure on Billups and the rest of the lineup to overachieve.
Final thoughts
Portland Trail Blazers fans will definitely be rooting for them to land a top-three pick in the lottery. They will also root for the Pelican’s pick to fall between 5 and 14. Just in case neither happens, Cronin should start practicing roster financial jujitsu