Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F Marvin Bagley III, SAC 2022 1st Round Pick (Top-14 Protected, converts to SAC 2022 2nd Round Pick and return of POR 2024 2nd Round Pick and POR 2025 2nd Round Pick)
Sacramento Kings Receive: F Robert Covington
The Trail Blazers need a dynamic, versatile frontcourt talent and the Sacramento Kings need a veteran, experienced presence at any position to try and lift them to the playoffs, which is why a Bagley-Covington swap could make a lot of sense.
Both players are in the final year of their contracts, meaning that both the Blazers and Kings would not be tied down long-term financially to either player, and they fit the needs of each team.
As Pelton writes, Kings general manager Monty McNair was part of the Rockets’ management when the team dealt for Robert Covington ahead of the 2020 trade deadline and he could be a two-way forward for this team.
The Kings currently rank 16th in offensive rating, which is not terrible, but they rank just 26th in defensive rating, which is really bad. They need someone who can be a “spark” on the defensive-end of the floor and Covington has always been a reliable defensive player either in the paint or on the perimeter.
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Outside of Bagley, Chimezie Metu is really the only other power-forward on their roster, which is why Robert Covington could come to Sacramneto and immediately fill a void for this Kings team, one that hopes they can sneak into the play-in tournament.
The question that Portland would need to answer in this trade scenario is whether or not Robert Covington really makes a big difference in them making a real playoff push this year.
If the answer is yes, then trading him may not be the best idea, but seeing as the answer would likely be no, the Trail Blazers might as well move the veteran now since he is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
Marvin Bagley III is also going to be a free agent at the end of the year, but at least he is a steady presence on the offensive-end of the floor that gives the Blazers another big man to run pick-and-roll sets with next to Lillard and McCollum.
LATEST NBA NEWS & RUMORS: 3 Trade Targets For Portland Trail Blazers — Pass Or Pursue?
For his career, Bagley has averaged 14.0 points, 7.4 rebounds and has shot 49.9% from the floor, making him the athletic and dynamic big man this team is missing. When Nurkic is not on the floor, Marvin Bagley could play alongside Larry Nance Jr. as well in the frontcourt, making the Portland Trail Blazers a faster, more athletic team in transition.
The Blazers need to do something if they are to be a real threat in the Western Conference this season and moving Covington for Bagley is definitely a move that could pay dividends in the long-term.
