It’s been a busy summer for the Portland Trail Blazers. After endless speculation, they finally traded Damian Lillard. As the NBA world waited for them to send him to the Miami Heat, the Blazers shocked the world by sending Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Blazers’ trade strategy was interesting. One could have assumed that the Blazers wouldn’t return a veteran in exchange for Lillard. They shocked the world once again. When the Blazers acquired Jrue Holiday, fans scratched their heads. This team is rebuilding – isn’t it?
Yes. The Blazers sent Holiday to the Boston Celtics. They received Malcolm Brogdon in return. Portland intends to acquire veterans that come with future-focused assets attached.
Could they use that strategy again by sending Brogdon to the New Orleans Pelicans?
NBA Trade Proposal — New Orleans Pelicans Land Malcolm Brogdon
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: C Jonas Valanciunas, G Kira Lewis Jr, 2024 Second-Round Pick (Swap – BOS or NOP), 2030 Second-Round Pick (NOP)
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G Malcolm Brogdon, C Moses Brown
Seeing Lillard in a Bucks jersey feels weird. In all likelihood, it will always feel weird. Lillard has been Portland’s franchise player for a long time. To this point, he’s spent his entire NBA career with the franchise. What happened?
Some will argue that the Blazers did a poor job of putting a contender around Lillard. There’s some merit in that argument. It may be that trying to pair him with CJ McCollum was always a mistake. Portland’s small guards struggled to hold up on the defense end throughout an entire playoff run.
On the other hand, one could argue that Portland had bad luck. At the moment, there’s relative parity in the NBA – but that wasn’t the case during most of Lillard’s time in Portland.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Like many teams, the Blazers ran into a dynasty – they couldn’t topple the Golden State Warriors. Does this deal help them set up their dynasty in the future?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do This Deal
Realistically, the Blazers may already have their future contender assembled. This team isn’t starting from scratch – they’ve been covertly rebuilding for years. That’s why the Blazers have Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe on their roster.
They’ve also got Anfernee Simons. With that in mind, some have suggested that the Blazers have too much backcourt talent. Granted, that makes Kira Lewis Jr. an odd acquisition for the Blazers.
We’re not concerned. In time, the Blazers may look to move Simons. In that event, Lewis Jr. could be the third guard in this team’s rotation.
Either way, it’s a moot point. This deal has Portland doing the same thing that they’ve been doing. They’re acquiring Valanciunas to flip him later.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Sure, he’s on an expiring contract. If Portland does this deal now, they could move the big man by the deadline. Otherwise, they’ll have an inside track on resigning him or even signing and trading him this summer.
Should the Pelicans give up Valanciunas?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do This Deal
The Pelicans don’t mind parting with Valanciunas. It’s been suggested that they’re looking to move him and acquire a better defensive big man. Does this deal have them doing that?
It’s debatable. Brown is perhaps a better rim protector than Valanciunas, but he’s not a starting-caliber big man. Still, the Pelicans could nominally start him and pull him early in favor of a small lineup featuring Larry Nance Jr. at the 5.
Either way, a defensive big isn’t this team’s only need. New Orleans has a lot of talented wings, arguably the best position group in the NBA (when healthy). However, the Pelicans need a point guard. Here, they’re landing one.
NBA TRADES & RUMORS: Malcolm Brogdon, Portland Trail Blazers, New Orleans Pelicans Updates
Brogdon may be an injury concern, but when healthy, he’s a combo guard who can score, defend and pass. At this price, he’d be a suitable acquisition for the Pelicans. Now, it’s time for them to get busy.
