Portland Trail Blazers: The Pipe Dream (That could happen)
While watching teams not named the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Playoffs, why not dream about an immediate turnaround in Rip City?
While watching teams not named the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Playoffs, why not dream about an immediate turnaround in Rip City?
After another underperforming season ending in a tank job, the Portland Trail Blazers have put themselves in a position they didn’t think possible back in October or even January. They have a slight chance of turning the franchise around REALLY quickly.
Here are five moves that sound like a pipe dream but could actually happen to vault this team instantaneously into contender status.
1. Win the Draft Lottery
It comes as no surprise that this would be the number one move that would change the Portland Trail Blazers shakey present into a bright future. The chance to draft the 7’ 4” game-changing phenom named Victor Wembanyama.
You cannot overstate the impact a player like him would do for a franchise. A defensive juggernaut with a guard-like handle, Wembanyama would instantaneously raise Portland’s defensive ceiling, and yet he’s still only 19 years old.
Portland Trail Blazers fans old enough to remember what Arvydas Sabonis did for the franchise should be salivating.
2. Trade Anfernee Simons and a pick for OG Anunoby
If drafting Wembanyana is considered the first domino to fall, then surely re-allocating talent for a major upgrade at small forward would be the second. OG Anunoby would instantly be the best lockdown defender this team has seen in over 20 years (and that includes Matisse Thybulle).
He would be the Draymond Green-type player Damian Lillard has coveted for the last five seasons. With Anunoby being much better than Draymond ever was on offense and minus the mouth that tends to get Green in trouble oh so often.