Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G John Wall, C Alperen Sengun, 2023 First-Round Pick (HOU), 2023 First-Round Pick (MIL via HOU), 2027 First-Round Pick (HOU)
Houston Rockets Receive: G Damian Lillard
With this deal, the Houston Rockets make a wager. They’re gambling that having picked in the top three in back-to-back drafts, they’ve acquired enough premium talent to cut their rebuild short.
Certainly, that’s quite the wager. Jalen Green flashed superstar potential in his rookie campaign, but nobody could yet say that he’s certain to make good on it. Meanwhile, the Rockets haven’t seen whoever they pick third play a minute of NBA action so far.
Still, fortune favors the brave. If the Rockets have enough faith in Green, they’re really just gambling that the third overall pick pans out well enough to form a Big Three with Green and Lillard.
Meanwhile, the Blazers’ willingness to make this deal could hinge on their estimate of Alperen Sengun. He’s an interesting prospect. Sengun has prodigious floor vision and an endless array of post moves, but there are concerns about his viability as a defender if he’s going to be a long-term starter in the NBA.
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If the Blazers share those concerns, this next deal may be more suitable for them.
