3 Dream Offseason Trade Targets For Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

The Portland Trail Blazers and newly minted General Manager Joe Cronin have a difficult road to navigate in front of them. this NBA offseason.

On the one hand, they have a bona fide top-75 player of all time in Damian Lillard on the roster. The Blazers owe it to him, to the fans, and to themselves to try to compete for a title as long as he is still in Rip City.

That being said, with former Neil Olshey’s mismanagement leading to the severe depreciation of Portland’s precious assets, Cronin had to sell off CJ McCollum, Norman Powell, Robert Covington, and Larry Nance Jr. for pennies on the dollar to try to shake up the roster and lead a half-season tank in hopes of adding a top-tier rookie to the team.

And yet even with half a season of misery and embarrassing losses, the Trail Blazers’ sore luck continued into the draft lottery when they drew the No. 7 overall pick — a slot below their projected odds.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Intriguing Blazers-Pistons Trade Sends Jerami Grant To Portland

Now, the team is left barren of assets but still in need of major improvements to capitalize on what’s left of Damian Lillard’s prime. Otherwise, they risk him wasting another year of his closing window and possibly him demanding a trade in order to compete for a championship elsewhere.

But while trying to surround Lillard with pieces worthy of his talent, Cronin needs to ensure that he keeps Portland’s future secure and doesn’t sell the farm just to end up falling short again.

The Trail Blazers have a decently bright future even post-Lillard with Anfernee Simons and Nassir Little leading the charge. With the No. 7 overall pick in tow, they could form a solid young triumvirate that could help Lillard compete next season and down the road when Lillard is gone or retires.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Intriguing Blazers-Pistons Trade Sends Jerami Grant To Portland

The Blazers may end up trading their pick in 2022 or even one of Ant and Nas or maybe even both. There’s no doubt that Portland needs to make a significant roster change next season, but with limited options, that upgrade will have to come via trade.

Cronin will have to walk the tightrope between building a contender around Lillard and keeping the Blazers’ future safe and secure.

Let’s look at three dream offseason targets for the Portland Trail Blazers to consider:

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