Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers have long failed to put a worthy two-way wing alongside Damian Lillard to aid him in his title conquest. They now have the opportunity to try to acquire one with the seventh-overall pick in the upcoming draft.
But with a shortage of big wings at the top of this draft class, Portland might be better off trading the pick in return for an established piece instead. OG Anunoby would be the perfect trade target for the Portland Trail Blazers for two separate reasons. Firstly, he’s talented enough to be an immediate boon for the Blazers on both ends of the court.
His length, activity, and IQ would make him the best perimeter defender that Portland’s had since Nicolas Batum. His floor spacing and secondary playmaking will make him the perfect complementary piece on offense between Dame, Anfernee Simons, and Jusuf Nurkic.
Secondly, he’s young enough to be a part of the Portland Trail Blazers’ contingency plan, as well. Lillard’s loyalty to Portland has been put to the test lately. It started with the team and Dame’s concerted decision to hire Chauncey Billups as head coach. Billups’s shady past and possible sexual assault turned fans off of the Blazers, and in turn, Damian Lillard.
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Then, Dame had to watch injured on the sidelines as his best friend CJ McCollum and the rest of his supporting cast was traded away for pennies on the dollar. If new General Manager Joe Cronin’s vision doesn’t pan out and he fails to put a title contender around Dame, Lillard’s loyalty might finally break.
In that case, acquiring OG Anunoby will add to a young core that currently consists of Simons, Nassir Little, and a few ancillary pieces. That way, if Lillard does end up leaving, the Portland Trail Blazers will have a plan laid out for the post-Dame era.
