Why the Trade Benefits the Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have Damian Lillard in his prime playing at an incredible level. Now is the time to go all-in on his timeline by making a move for a superstar talent like James Harden.

It takes superstars to go far in the NBA playoffs but it particularly takes guards that can knock down perimeter jump shots. If the floor spacing is compromised as it was for the Rockets with Russell Westbrook, it’s just not going to work. That wouldn’t be a problem whatsoever for the Trail Blazers.

Robert Covington already has familiarity with Harden from his partial season with the Houston Rockets. Factor in PJ Tucker and Ben McLemore in the supporting cast around Lillard and Harden— the Trail Blazers would have a balanced and intriguing group of talent.

Not having to give up Jusuf Nurkic would be all the better for the Trail Blazers. A starting lineup of Lillard, Harden, Covington, Tucker, and Nurkic would be among the NBA’s best. There could be some depth concerns early on, but Portland could get creative.