Does this trade make sense for the Portland Trail Blazers?
The Portland Trail Blazers have fully adopted an offense-first identity and while Kristaps Porzingis isn’t he greatest of defenders, he would add even more dimensions offensively with his shooting range. If Jusuf Nurkic and Enes Kanter are going to clog the lane and be unhelpful out in space defensively, then where’s the value?
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Having the pick-and-pop shooting that Porzingis brings to the table would help to free up driving lanes for Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum in needed ways. It’s tough enough to slow down Lillard when he’s breaking down defenders off-the-dribble out on an island, having to stay attached to the screener in a five-out offense would be a nightmare.
The Trail Blazers would be gambling on the fact that Kristaps Porzingis can stay healthy and recover his mobility after having a full offseason to recover. He’s been dealing with injury concerns throughout the season.
Porzingis has struggled a bit in the playoffs, but the talent is still very much there. Porzingis, this past season, averaged 20.1 points, 8.9 total rebounds, and 1.6 assists for the Mavericks and his 7-foot-3 frame would be a very welcome addition in Portland.
