One NBA writer is proposing that the Portland Trail Blazers acquire Kyle Lowry from the Miami Heat and Jonathan Issac and Jalen Suggs from the Orlando Magic. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed a four-team trade between the Blazers, Heat, Magic and Charlotte Hornets.
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Kyle Lowry, Jonathan Isaac, Jalen Suggs, James Bouknight, Nikola Jović, a 2026 first-round pick from Charlotte, a 2027 first-round pick from Orlando, a 2028 first-round pick from Miami and a 2030 first-round pick from Miami
Portland Trail Blazers Lose: Damian Lillard, Keon Johnson and Anfernee Simons
“Lowry’s contract expires after the 2023-24 season,” Bailey wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “He can mentor Henderson for a year, and then Portland can let him walk. Isaac’s contract is only partially guaranteed in 2023-24 until January, and it’s fully non-guaranteed in 2024-25. In essence, he’s on even more of an expiring contract than Lowry. As for Suggs, Bouknight and Jović, they’re 22, 22 and 20, respectively. If even one of them hits as a potential long-term running mate with Henderson, that’s a win.
“Once you include all of the picks, the Blazers would have one of the NBA’s best troves of assets, and it could get even better if they move Jerami Grant ahead of the trade deadline (although he can’t be moved until after December 15).”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Lowry, Jonathan Isaac, Jalen Suggs, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic Updates
Lillard requested to be traded from the Blazers to only the Heat on July 1. He has spent all 11 seasons of his NBA career with Portland, which selected him with the sixth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. The Blazers finished 33-49 and 13th in the Western Conference last season.
Lowry averaged 11.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 5.1 assists last season for the Heat while shooting 40.4% from the field, 34.5% from beyond the arc and 85.9% from the free-throw line. The NBA champion has one year left on his contract.
Isaac hasn’t been able to stay healthy for the past three years. He’s only played in 11 games since 2020. The big man averaged 5.0 points and 4.0 rebounds last season for the Magic while shooting 41.5% overall, 40.0% from 3 and 55.6% from the free-throw line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Kyle Lowry, Jonathan Isaac, Jalen Suggs, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic Updates
Finally, Suggs averaged 9.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists for the Magic in 2022-23 while shooting 41.9% overall, 32.7% from 3 and 72.3% from the foul line.
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