One NBA writer is proposing that the Portland Trail Blazers acquire RJ Barrett and Evan Fournier from the New York Knicks and Patrick Williams from the Chicago Bulls in a massive blockbuster deal. Ishaan Bhattacharya of Fadeaway World proposed the following trade idea between the Blazers, Knicks and Bulls:
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: RJ Barrett, Patrick Williams, Evan Fournier, 2024 First Round Pick (DAL), 2025 First Round Draft Pick (NYK), 2026 First Round Pick (CHI), 2028 Second Round Pick (CHI)
New York Knicks Receive: Zach LaVine
Chicago Bulls Receive: Damian Lillard
“RJ Barrett averaged 19.6 points and 5.0 rebounds last season but disappointed in the playoffs once again,” Bhattacharya wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “The Knicks need to move on from him as they have progressed faster than his skill set has. He is still supremely talented and a change of scenario could lead to him further developing as a player. He would slot in at the wing perfectly for the Blazers and could become a featured player as the young backcourt develops. Evan Fournier would be a salary dump, for which the Knicks would have to part with a pick regardless of where they sent him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: RJ Barrett, Evan Fournier, Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
“Patrick Williams would add a frontcourt piece to a roster with a lot of talented young guards and swingmen. The former No. 4 overall pick never got to develop properly on the Bulls with their discombobulated competitive timeline and unfortunate injuries. The Blazers would be the perfect spot for him to find the All-Defense level of talent he was projected to have. He averaged 10.2 points and 4.0 rebounds last season.”
Lillard has requested a trade from the Blazers and wants to get traded to the Miami Heat. However, Portland can trade Lillard anywhere since the NBA star doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
Barrett averaged 19.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.8 assists last season while shooting 43.4% from the field, 31.0% from beyond the arc and 74.0% from the free-throw line.
Fournier only appeared in 27 games last season since he was removed from the rotation by Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau. The veteran averaged 6.1 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting 33.7% overall, 30.7% from 3 and 85.7% from the foul line.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: RJ Barrett, Evan Fournier, Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Finally, Williams averaged 10.2 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.2 assists for the Bulls. The swingman played in all 82 games and shot 46.4% from the floor, 41.5% 3-point land and 85.7% from the free-throw line.
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