The Lasting Impact & Grade Of This Trade For The Trail Blazers
All good things come to an end at some point and while the Portland Trail Blazers wanted to keep Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum paired with one another long-term, it made a lot of sense for them to “clear house” around Lillard this season.
The Trail Blazers are just 21-33 and after being passed by the New Orleans Pelicans in the standings and falling out of the 10-seed in the Western Conference, Portland’s playoff chances are very minimal this season.
Along with Damian Lillard being shut down due to undergoing abdominal surgery and Joe Cronin acting as the interim general manager, the Blazers have a lot of work to do as an organization over the next few years.
The franchise is remaining committed to Lillard and he seems to be receptive to this, as The Oregonian’s Aaron Fentress stated that the Blazers’ All-Star point guard is “absolutely onboard” with what Portland has done the last few days leading up to the trade deadline.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pelicans Trade For CJ McCollum; Blazers Firesale Continues
Getting below the luxury tax line on the season and freeing up cap space to re-sign Anfernee Simons in the offseason were two essential moves for Portland to make this season, but they are not necessarily done making moves just yet.
Sources tell NBA Analysis Network that the Blazers are still interested in gauging trade interest in newly acquired Eric Bledsoe, as well as Josh Hart, in attempts to possibly add more future value and draft picks to their roster.
Hart is in his 5th NBA season and while he is definitely a building block the Trail Blazers could utilize for years to come, many teams are said to be intrigued by his contract. He is under contract through the 2023-24 season with his final year player option, but Josh Hart’s contract is non-guaranteed for next season.
Not only do the Blazers still have the option of flipping Bledsoe/Hart ahead of the trade deadline, but they added a good amount of value in this trade with New Orleans by acquiring Nickeil Alexander-Walker and a 2022 first-round pick that should convey this season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pelicans Trade For CJ McCollum; Blazers Firesale Continues
Joe Cronin has made some very nice moves to hopefully set this franchise up for long-term success and they are definitely not done just yet.
GRADE: B
