How This Trade Impacts Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers are an organization stuck in the mud. They look to be going nowhere fast, as Neil Olshey didn’t leave the next general manager in the best position. But, they do have a way to set the direction of the organization with Damian Lillard.

Trading Lillard seems to be what is best for the future of the franchise. It would be a tough blow to see their best player leave town, but they are not close to competing and don’t have many assets to reshape the roster so that they can start making noise.

In this deal with the Philadelphia 76ers, they are afforded the chance to truly rebuild. Tyrese Maxey and Matisse Thybulle give them a backcourt of the future to start building the foundation upon. Their addition could also open up the gates for the Trail Blazers to look into trade C.J. McCollum, who would bring back even more assets for a rebuild.

Maxey has looked great this season in place of Ben Simmons and has the looks of a long-term asset. Thybulle is one of the best defensive players in the NBA, putting that on full display most recently against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Blazers Front Office Encouraged After Talks With Lillard, McCollum

Embarking on a rebuild is never easy, but it might be the move for Portland to make. If they do not do it now, Lillard’s value isn’t going to increase with two more years and $107 million more added onto his contract. Paying a player in his mid-30s over $50 million per season will cripple a team’s salary cap.