Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G Patrick Beverley, G Kendrick Nunn, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 First-Round Pick (LAL) 

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Anfernee Simons 

We mentioned tanking. The ability to do so (or not) can be key to an NBA team’s decision-making. 

After all, tanking is the most cost-friendly means to get out of a problematic situation. If you’ve got the draft capital to do it, and your team is mediocre, it’s an attractive option. 

It’s also not for everybody. Some players and organizations are against the practice in principle. Whether that’s wise or not, it’s admirable. 

For some, Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers embody the anti-tanking ethos. This player and his team are notoriously opposed to “running from the grind.” 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS:  Anfernee Simons, Portland Trail Blazers & Los Angeles Lakers Updates

With a major recent decline, the Lakers may want to capitalize on a trade. A volume scoring guard next to LeBron James and Anthony Davis could do wonders.

Isn’t that what they’re doing here?