Joe Cronin, Portland Trail Blazers General Manager.
It’s NBA draft week, and trade rumors run wild. The Portland Trail Blazers and their new General Manager, Joe Cronin, are right in the middle of all the talk. I looked over the top four trade rumors and will rate each based on its likelihood of happening as well as how much it benefits the Trail Blazers.
The likelihood of this trade happening- is 20%, at least as the rumor is currently constructed.
Jerami Grant has been linked to the Blazers since last year’s trade deadline. By making this deal, Portland would be cashing out its best trade chip for a player in the final year of his contract. Grant is seeking a near-max contract, but his percentages have decreased as his role expanded in Detroit.
How much would Jerami Grant help Portland?
Grant would instantly be the best power forward Rip City has seen since Lamarcus Aldridge. That said, he is probably best utilized as an above-average role player.
No question, he would certainly help the team. But at the cost of the #7 pick, it leaves the Blazers with limited resources to fix other team needs. If Portland could get Grant with a different package or perhaps after trading back in the draft, the chances of him coming to the Trail Blazers would significantly improve.
Likelihood of this trade happening- 25%
This deal would work for trading down and perhaps using the #12 pick to go after Jerami Grant. But what would be the reasoning behind bringing in Luguentz Dort unless it sets up another deal that involves Josh Hart?
How much would Lu Dort help the Blazers?
Dort likely isn’t starter material in Portland. He’s an above-average defender capable of guarding small forwards. At 6’3″, Dort is better suited to defend against guards.
On the other hand, Dort would help the team mold head coach Chauncey Billups wants to build, mainly being more aggressive on defense. Like Hart, he’s the kind of player you would love in your rotation, but you might be in trouble if you try to use him as your starting small forward.
Likelihood of this trade happening- 10%
Outside of some reports that OG Anunoby is unhappy with his role in Toronto, there doesn’t seem to be much evidence he’s on the trade block. In a situation like this, Toronto has all the leverage.
It’s almost assured that whoever wants Anunoby will have to overpay. The Raptors are in no rush to move him, and if they did want to move him, they could hang onto him, hoping to raise his value for when the trade deadline comes around next season.
How much would OG Anunoby help the Blazers?
Anunoby will help the Blazers. There is no argument there, and probably more than anyone else on this list. He’s still only 24, and he’s already a force on defense who has not only become a reliable 3-point threat (career 37.2% shooter) but has shown to be ever improving his overall offensive game.
Does the real question become how much Portland is willing to overpay? Also, would they have enough leftover assets to get a legit power forward to pair with Anunoby this offseason?
The argument against paying too much is the Blazers would have to start either Justise Winslow or Trendon Watford next to him. As much as I like both players coming off the bench, the idea of either starting doesn’t sit well. That’s the harsh downside of overpaying for one player.
Likelihood of this trade happening- 20%
It’s known around the league that the Atlanta Hawks are trying to move starting power forward John Collins. His pairing with Trae Young wasn’t exactly the success the team had hoped for, which is why he could be available. Some rumors have Collins headed to Rip City straight up for #7. Others throw the #16 pick back to Portland. If there is any truth to the addition of #16, then Portland should jump all over this deal.
How much would John Collins help Portland?
Short answer – A LOT. Collins is just two seasons removed from averaging 21.6 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. Those numbers included him shooting 58 percent from the field and 40.1 percent from beyond the arc.
His last two seasons have seen slight dips in his numbers as Atlantas’ offense shifted more toward Trae Young-centered. At 6’9″, Collins has more of a prototypical power forward body with the outside shooting touch to space the floor. In a pick and roll offense with Damian Lillard, he would be a nightmare for opposing teams.
Adding up all the likelihood percentages, I think there is a 75 percent chance that one of these four trades will happen. That last 25 percent? About 20 are trades we haven’t heard of yet, and the other 5 percent is the slight chance I believe that the Portland Trail Blazers will keep the pick. It would be a huge win if Portland could capture two of the four players mentioned in these rumors. If not, they shouldn’t severely overpay and handicap themselves for the one player acquired.
Regardless of how it goes down, I expect this might be the most anticipated and exciting draft night the Portland Trail Blazers have had since maybe the 2006 draft. They wheeled and dealt veterans, contracts, and picks in that draft and somehow wound up with Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. Let’s see what Joe Cronin and company can accomplish on draft night in 2022
What do you think about the Trail Blazers trade rumors? Let us know in the comments section below.