The Portland Trail Blazers are a team that has consistently been in playoff contention in recent years, thanks in large part to the leadership and talents of their star point guard, Damian Lillard. However, that run has ended as the team has missed the postseason the last two seasons. Despite Lillard’s heroics on the court and his perennial All-Star status, the Blazers have struggled to make deep runs in the postseason, often falling short due to a lack of a consistent supporting cast. It might have somehow worked out this year since the Trail Blazers earned the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery. Finally, Portland has a strong trade asset to help the team win games.
In an effort to bolster their roster and give Lillard the help he needs, the Blazers have been rumored to be interested in trading for another All-Star caliber player. While some fans may be opposed to this idea, arguing that the team should focus on developing their young players or finding more complementary pieces, it’s hard to deny the potential impact that a high-level talent could have on the team’s playoff chances. With Lillard and fellow All-Star CJ McCollum as the team’s primary scoring options, the Blazers had a talented backcourt that could put up points in a hurry. But, the team has struggled to find reliable scoring options beyond these two players, particularly in the frontcourt. As a result, McCollum was traded to the New Orleans Pelicans last season.
No doubt, adding another All-Star to the mix could help alleviate this issue, giving the team a new scoring threat who can also provide valuable defense and rebounding on the other end of the floor. Of course, there are risks involved in any trade, particularly when it comes to giving up promising young players or draft picks in exchange for a proven All-Star. The Blazers will have to carefully weigh the pros and cons before pulling the trigger on any potential deal that involves the N0. 3 overall pick and it’s likely that fans will have differing opinions on what the team should do. The likes of Scoot Henderson, Brandon Miller, and Amen Thompson will be among the top-three picks that a team can take.
Portland wants to win right now around Damian Lillard and including the No. 3 overall pick, a sign-and-trade deal with Jerami Grant, Jusuf Nurkic, and even Shaedon Sharpe in trade talks could create a title contender. Without further ado, here are the five major targets for the Portland Trail Blazers to pair with Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons.
5. Jaylen Brown
2022-23 Season Statistics: 26.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 3.5 APG, 1.1 SPG, 0.4 BPG
A great way for Portland to become a legitimate title contender is to add All-Star wing Jaylen Brown. In what will be a blockbuster deal, the Trail Blazers will let go of assets, including Jerami Grant and the No. 3 overall pick for the services of two-time All-Star Jaylen Brown. An offense with Lillard and Brown means Portland has two superstar players who can lead the way while Anfernee Simons assumes his position as the talented third option. Not to mention, Lillard seems to be very keen on having a player of Brown’s caliber beside him.
Jaylen had a great season, posting 26.6 PPG on 49.1% shooting from the field. The swingman got it done from the perimeter and inside while also providing above-average defense and improved playmaking. Brown has proven to be an excellent player alongside a top-10 player in the world in Jayson Tatum, so he can provide the same alongside Damian Lillard. As great as Tatum was in terms of being a playmaker, he is not as good as Dame when it comes to that aspect. Lillard did average 7.3 APG during the year, so he is clearly elite at making others better.
Jaylen also becomes the first elite star in his prime that Damian Lillard gets to play with. The swingman easily becomes the best player the point guard had alongside him and that means contention is likely to come next. The fact that Brown’s future in Boston is up in the air could mean the Trail Blazers could realistically swoop in for a deal to give the Celtics some depth and a valuable No. 3 overall pick. If the Celtics don’t win the NBA title this year, Brown could be available in trade talks.
4. Karl-Anthony Towns
2022-23 Season Statistics: 20.8 PPG, 8.1 RPG, 4.8 APG, 0.7 SPG, 0.6 BPG
The Portland Trail Blazers are a team that has been searching for a reliable big man to help Damian Lillard carry the load for on both ends of the floor for several years. While players such as Jusuf Nurkic have provided some help in this regard, it is clear that the team needs another elite talent to truly compete for a championship. One player that could potentially fit the bill is Karl-Anthony Towns, the All-Star center for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Towns is a dominant scorer and rebounder, and his ability to stretch the floor with his shooting would be a perfect complement to Lillard’s drive-and-kick game. Additionally, Towns is only 27 years old, meaning he would be a long-term piece for the Blazers to build around.
Of course, acquiring Towns would not be easy. The Timberwolves would likely ask for a significant package of players and draft picks in return, and the Blazers would have to be willing to give up a lot to make the deal happen. If the Blazers believe that Towns is the missing piece they need to compete with the best teams in the Western Conference, it may be worth the investment. Assuming the deal did happen, the Blazers would suddenly have one of the most fearsome duos in the NBA in Lillard and Towns. With two All-Stars leading the way, the team would be a serious threat on both ends of the floor.
Additionally, the presence of Towns would take some of the pressure off of Lillard, allowing him to be more efficient and effective in his own scoring. Considering how Towns could be looking elsewhere this season and the Timberwolves wanting to proceed with Anthony Edwards as the primary option, the No. 3 overall pick could help the franchise continue building their lineup for the betterment of the future. The frontcourt of Towns and Rudy Gobert disappointed many as they lost in the first round of the playoffs, so perhaps making a change could be in the best interest of Minnesota and Portland.
3. Kawhi Leonard
2022-23 Season Statistics: 23.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.4 SPG, 0.5 BPG
The best way to bring a dominant two-way player alongside Damian Leonard is to trade for Kawhi Leonard, two-time NBA champion and two-time Finals MVP. Still widely regarded as one of the best players in the league, Kawhi possesses a unique combination of offensive firepower and defensive tenacity that could make him an ideal complement to Lillard. The five-time All-Star has proven himself to be a clutch performer with a knack for hitting big shots in crucial moments. Additionally, his lockdown defense would give the Blazers an elite perimeter defender to counter some of the league’s top wing players. Trading for Leonard would undoubtedly require a significant investment of assets, as he is a highly valued player around the league, but the potential payoff could be worth it for Portland.
Los Angeles would require a hefty trade package, including the No. 3 overall pick, Shaedon Sharpe, Jusuf Nurkic, and Jerami Grant. By acquiring three valuable pieces and a valuable pick, the Clippers can immediately rebuild around the youngsters and Paul George. Perhaps, George might even be traded since both he and Leonard have not been able to stay consistently healthy. Instead of hoping every season Leonard and George stay healthy, the franchise could make a move. Even when they were both healthy in the 2019-20 season, the Clippers choked a 3-1 series lead against the Denver Nuggets and that was truly their best chance. To swoop in and make a blockbuster deal, the Trail Blazers can nab superstar Kawhi Leonard in a gamble.
Pairing Lillard and Leonard would immediately give the Blazers one of the most dynamic duos in the league, capable of torching opposing defenses and wreaking havoc on the defensive end. Ultimately, the decision to pursue a trade for Leonard would depend on how much faith the Blazers have in their current core, as well as the willingness of the Clippers to part with their star player. If the stars align and a deal is possible, Leonard could be the missing piece that helps the Blazers make a deep postseason run in the coming years.
2. Joel Embiid
2022-23 Season Statistics: 33.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 4.2 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.7 BPG
A trade for the reigning MVP would absolutely place the Portland Trail Blazers on the map. Joel Embiid is one of the most dominant big men in the NBA and would instantly become a valuable asset to the Blazers. He is an excellent scorer, rebounder, and defender who has the ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. After all, the center averaged 33.1 PPG, 10.2 RPG, and 1.7 BPG this season to nab the MVP award ahead of Nikola Jokic, the Serbian who almost averaged a triple-double from the center position. The pairing of Damian Lillard and Joel Embiid would be a dynamic duo that would be hard to stop. Lillard is a guard that can score from anywhere on the court and create his own shot whenever he wants. Embiid is a center that can score inside and outside and defend in the paint.
There isn’t a better match made in heaven. The two of them together would be a nightmare for opposing defenses to contain. Furthermore, Embiid would bring a new level of toughness and physicality to the Trail Blazers. He is a player that demands attention and respect on the floor and would instantly become a leader on the team. With his intensity and competitiveness, he would provide the Blazers with a new level of toughness that the team has often lacked. Even if Joel has had his playoff struggles, he hasn’t exactly had the help he needs with the often disappointing Ben Simmons and James Harden. Lillard can bring what The Beard brings in terms of shot-making and playmaking, except add consistent playoff performances. Over his career, Dame is averaging 25.7 PPG on 36.9% shooting from three, including the 2021 season when the point guard posted 34.3 PPG.
Combining Embiid with Lillard would instantly make the Blazers a championship contender, which could significantly increase the team’s revenue and overall value in the market. That also means the Trail Blazers can continue adding pieces to the team since the big man is only 29 years old and has at least five more years at an All-Star level. If Portland wants to keep Lillard and keep competing for championships, trading for All-Star Joel Embiid would extend their championship window and create one of the best inside-outside pairings of all time. As great as James Harden was alongside Embiid, Lillard would be far greater.
1. Giannis Antetokounmpo
2022-23 Season Statistics: 31.1 PPG, 11.8 RPG, 5.7 APG, 0.8 SPG, 0.8 BPG
First of all, a trade to bring two-time MVP and former Defensive Player of the Year Giannis Antetokounmpo would be unrealistic. After all, even if the Bucks fired Mike Budenholzer and are heading in a new direction, the franchise will hold onto Giannis for dear life. But, if Giannis does stick to his guns that he won’t stay with the Bucks forever, what better place to be than in Portland alongside a top-two point guard in the world? While such a trade would undoubtedly bring an immediate boost to the team’s roster, the move would come with significant gutting of the team.
Acquiring Antetokounmpo would immediately make the Trail Blazers one of the most talented teams in the league, as his combination of size, athleticism, and scoring prowess would make him the perfect complement to Lillard’s skills as a floor general and perimeter scorer. The two would form a potent one-two punch that could help Portland compete with the likes of the Nuggets, Suns, Grizzlies, and Warriors in the stacked Western Conference. However, bringing in such a high-profile player also comes with a hefty price tag. The Trail Blazers would need to give up a significant number of valuable assets to acquire Antetokounmpo, including key players, draft picks, and future cap flexibility. The No. 3 overall pick headlines, along with possibly some other assets that might have to include 23-year-old Anfernee Simons.
Trading away such valuable assets could weaken the team’s depth and limit its ability to make moves in the future, mainly because all other trade assets will be exhausted. On the flip side, a team with Giannis and Lillard would be an attractive option for other players looking to build a new superteam in a market that does not attract a ton of headlines every year. The idea of playing with a dominant big in Giannis and an impactful guard could attract a host of free agents that would take pay cuts to win. The best option for Portland is none other than Giannis Antetokounmpo and if The Greek Freak can win with Khris Middleton as his best teammate, giving him Dame would almost make it a foregone conclusion that the Trail Blazers make the Western Conference Finals every season.
