One NBA writer is proposing that the Orlando Magic and Portland Trail Blazers make a blockbuster trade centered around Anfernee Simons, Gary Harris, Jalen Suggs and Chuma Okeke. Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the following trade idea between the Blazers and Magic:
Trade idea: Portland Trail Blazers trade Anfernee Simons to Orlando Magic for Gary Harris, Jalen Suggs, Chuma Okeke and 2025 first-round pick (top-five protected, via DEN)
“While the hoops world has remained fixated on Damian Lillard discussions, the Trail Blazers have other options to explore on the trade market,” Buckley wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “For instance, they could shop Simons, as they’ve already seen how tricky it is to win big with an undersized scoring guard at the 2. His value is tough to pin down, since his game doesn’t have many layers beyond pure point-production. He also isn’t cheap, as he’ll collect $77.7 million over the next three seasons. Then again, he’s a 24-year-old who just averaged 21.1 points per game while flashing a fiery three-ball and dunk-contest hops, so it isn’t as if his value is nonexistent.
“This feels like a reasonable middle ground. There isn’t a prime asset going to Portland, but there are a bunch of helpful pieces. Harris could handle a starting spot for the Blazers or be sent packing for additional assets. Okeke is a versatile NBA defender who could get interesting in a hurry if he ever gets his offense going. Suggs, the No. 5 pick in 2021, could be a clean fit with Scoot Henderson as his offensive game takes shape, and the 2025 pick would provide another roster-building tool for a team that needs all the help it can get for whenever the post-Damian Lillard era starts.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Anfernee Simons, Gary Harris, Jalen Suggs, Chuma Okeke, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Simons started 62 games for the Blazers last season. He averaged 21.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists. The 24-year-old, who won the 2021 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, signed a four-year, $100 million contract with the Blazers in July 2022.
Harris appeared in 48 games for the Magic in 2022-23. The former Denver Nuggets guard averaged 8.3 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
The Magic drafted Suggs with the fifth pick in the 2021 NBA Draft out of Gonzaga. The 22-year-old averaged 9.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists last season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Anfernee Simons, Gary Harris, Jalen Suggs, Chuma Okeke, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Finally, Okeke averaged 4.7 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 27 games for the Magic last season.
Neither the Magic nor Blazers made the 2023 NBA playoffs. Orlando went 34-48 last season, while Portland went 33-49.
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
