3. Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers have had an iffy frontcourt rotation since LaMarcus Aldridge skipped town. Jusuf Nurkic is solid, and at times even transcendent, but for all of his flashes of brilliance, he’s also highly inconsistent and struggles to remain healthy and available.

After multiple injuries, Nurk’s quickness and springs have been severely hampered and it’s taken a noticeable toll on his effectiveness as a paint protector.

At the least, Damian Lillard and the Blazers need to ensure that Nurkic has a reliable understudy ready to fill in as a starter at the drop of a dime. Richaun Holmes would be the perfect candidate.

Holmes would be the best shot-blocker and lob threat that Dame’s played with aside from maybe Hassan Whiteside, and Holmes is by far the more intelligent defender. Adding a vertical spacing element as well as a true paint protector behind Nurkic brings a much-needed balance to Portland’s center rotation.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Ranking 3 Most Likely Trade Destinations For Lakers’ Anthony Davis

As a high-ceiling backup, Holmes will be entering a Portland Trail Blazers team that seeks to return to the playoffs next season and would have a much better shot with his services in the paint. If Nurk is used in a sign-and-trade or walks in free agency, Holmes would be a perfect match to set screens for Dame and Anfernee Simons in the starting lineup next year as well.