The Portland Trail Blazers were one of the most disappointing teams this season because the highly anticipated return of Damian Lillard ended up without a playoff appearance. Portland was poor on both ends of the floor, ranking 18th in offensive rating and 27th in defensive rating. The team struggled to score the ball but also gave up a ton of easy scoring opportunities. On both ends, the Trail Blazers were below average, which is why they finished 13th in the Western Conference with a 33-49 record. A team with a superstar of Lillard’s caliber should have far more wins than that.
Not to mention, the problems were obvious. Damian Lillard averaged 32.2 PPG, and he did not have much help. It will never be the case in the modern NBA when a single superstar player wins the championship single-handedly without other All-Stars next to him. As good as Anfernee Simons and Jerami Grant are, neither are All-Star players, and that means the Trail Blazers will end up in the lottery going forward as they did this season. Of course, Jerami Grant is an unrestricted free agent this summer, which means there could be another hole on the roster as well.
Rumors of Damian Lillard wanting out are becoming more apparent by the week, and it won’t end unless changes are made. The superstar point guard has pledged his loyalty, even if it could be the right time for him to leave, and he seems to be built from the old school. Despite his loyalty, Lillard might have hope that the Trail Blazers franchise can turn things around. There could be a superteam being formed as we speak, and it could shake up the Western Conference despite the rumors of the Miami Heat going after Dame.
Here is how the Portland Trail Blazers can create a superteam this summer and it includes three blockbuster deals. While it certainly won’t be easy to acquire stars to place around Lillard, it is still possible, and here is the three-step plan this offseason for the Trail Blazers.Â
Acquire A Two-Way Center To Bolster Size
The first step would be acquiring two-way center Myles Turner to improve the team’s depth as the Trail Blazers move on from slow-footed Jusuf Nurkic. Turner has been shopped consistently over the past few seasons, and Portland is the team that could get a deal over the line for him.
Trade Details
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Myles Turner
Indiana Pacers Receive: Jusuf Nurkic, Kevin Knox, 2027 First-Round Pick, 2025 Second-Round Pick from Atlanta Hawks
Myles Turner is a highly-skilled center who has been making a name for himself in the NBA in recent seasons despite the trade rumors. He is known for his impressive defensive abilities, particularly his shot-blocking skills. Turner has been a consistent performer for the Indiana Pacers, averaging 18.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, and 2.3 BPG on 54.8% FG and 37.3% 3-PT FG. The Portland Trail Blazers could greatly benefit from Turner’s presence on their team as his shot-blocking abilities could help to shore up their defense. Additionally, Turner is a solid rebounder, which could help the Blazers improve their rebounding numbers.
Offensively, Turner is a capable scorer, with a career average of 13.4 PPG. He is also a good three-point shooter, with a career average of 35.3% from beyond the arc, which means his ability to stretch the floor could be particularly valuable for the Blazers, who rely heavily on their guards for scoring. Finally, the Trail Blazers will have a mobile center who can defend at an elite level and also space the floor enough to be respected.
Overall, Myles Turner would be a valuable addition to the Portland Trail Blazers as Damian Lillard’s new starting center. His defensive abilities, rebounding skills, and offensive capabilities would make him a versatile and valuable player for the team. If the Blazers are looking to improve their defense and add a solid two-way player to their roster, Turner would be an excellent choice as the first step to a superteam.Â
Acquire One Of The Best Two-Way Players In The World
The next step for the Portland Trail Blazers to create a dominant superteam includes striking a blockbuster deal for an elite two-way wing, Paul George. George averaged 23.8 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 5.1 APG on 45.7% FG, 37.1% 3-PT FG, and 87.1% FT despite only playing 56 games. Since the Clippers are gauging interest in George, the Trail Blazers could be in the mix for him immediately.
Trade Details
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Paul George
Los Angeles Clippers Receive: Anfernee Simons, Cam Reddish, 2026 First-Round Pick, 2023 Second-Round Pick from Atlanta Hawks
Paul George is a highly-skilled small forward who has been a dominant force in the NBA for several years. He is known for his scoring ability, defensive prowess, and leadership on the court. Pairing him with Damian Lillard would create a formidable duo that could lead the Portland Trail Blazers to championship contention.
No doubt, the main reason why the Blazers should acquire Paul George is his ability to score from anywhere on the court. He has a deadly three-point shot, can drive to the basket with ease, and is a reliable mid-range shooter. This would give the Blazers another scoring threat to complement Lillard, who is already one of the best scorers in the league. Finally, Lillard has an All-Star perimeter scorer alongside him without disrespect to C.J. McCollum.
In addition to his scoring ability, George is also an excellent defender. He has been named to the NBA All-Defensive Team four times and is known for his ability to shut down opposing players. This would be a huge asset for the Blazers, who struggled on defense this year. Another reason why George would be a great addition to the Blazers is his experience in the postseason. This would be especially valuable for the Blazers, who have a relatively young team and could benefit from George’s experience and leadership.
Overall, acquiring Paul George would be a huge boost for the Portland Trail Blazers. His scoring ability, defensive prowess, and leadership would make him a valuable addition to the team and could help them compete for a championship in the near future. George is nailing over 38% from three, can defend four positions as required, and can be a player that Lillard would love playing with.Â
Zion Williamson Is The Final Piece Of The Puzzle
With Myles Turner and Paul George on board alongside Damian Lillard, the final step for Portland will be going after Zion Williamson, who has been in the news over the past week. Zion has been a distraction for the Pelicans franchise and that means the Trail Blazers can pounce to acquire one of the best young players in the world. Williamson made his second All-Star Team this season, so when healthy, he is a legitimate superstar.
Trade Details
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Zion Williamson
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: No. 3 Overall Pick, Jerami Grant (Sign and Trade), Shaedon SharpeÂ
Zion Williamson is one of the most highly-touted basketball prospects in recent memory. He is a dominant force on the court, with a rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism that makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses. Pairing him with Damian Lillard would create a dynamic duo that could take the Portland Trail Blazers to new heights in terms of championship expectations.
Williamson is a versatile player who can play multiple positions, but he is most effective as a power forward. He has the ability to score from anywhere on the court, whether it’s driving to the basket, hitting mid-range jumpers, or knocking down three-pointers. His size and strength also make him a dominant rebounder, which would help the Blazers improve their rebounding numbers. This season, Williamson posted 26.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 4.6 APG, and 1.1 SPG on 60.8% FG, so clearly, his all-around play is of superstar level.
Lillard is already one of the best point guards in the league, and adding Williamson to the mix would give him a reliable scoring option and a player who can create his own shot. The two players would complement each other well, with Lillard’s outside shooting ability opening up the floor for Williamson to attack the basket. The pick-and-roll with Lillard and Williamson would be almost impossible to deal with because it will be picking your poison. Of course, pairing Zion with Myles Turner in the frontcourt would give the Blazers a formidable defensive presence as well.
Williamson is currently under contract with the New Orleans Pelicans until the 2025-26 season at under $40 million per season, and it would likely take a significant trade package to pry him away. However, if the Blazers are serious about contending for a championship, Williamson would be a game-changing addition to their roster with a superteam complete.Â
Portland Trail Blazers Win 2023-24 NBA Championship With Lillard Winning Finals MVP
With three major deals in place, the Portland Trail Blazers are in the mix to contend. The team will still have some money for a mid-level contract and veteran minimum deals for players who want to win immediately. Flexibility is key here since Portland will be giving away six players to bring back three to be placed in the starting lineup.
For example, center DeMarcus Cousins still feels like he is an elite center in the game and there is no doubt about the player’s ability to use his size down low and also shoot the three. His temperament has been in question, but the man can play a backup center role effectively while players such as Derrick Rose, Matisse Thybulle, and Mason Plumlee possibly available for a chance to play in Portland alongside the superstars.
Damian Lillard was good enough to make the Western Conference Finals with CJ McCollum as his best teammate in the 2018-19 playoffs, so there is no reason to put it past him to get there with Zion Williamson, Paul George, and Myles Turner alongside him. The level of scoring that Lillard, Williamson, and George can bring is exceptional, and Turner will be a breath of fresh air as a rim protector and defender.
The major contenders in the Western Conference are the Phoenix Suns, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, and Los Angeles Lakers. Each of these teams has a bonafide star or two, and Portland can enter the mix with its own version of a superteam. If the team stays as-is by developing Simons and holding onto Grant, they won’t achieve much in the Wild West.
Instead, losing picks and their current assets means they can hold onto beloved franchise star Damian Lillard and give him stars who will score and defend for him. Rather than being average heading into next season and holding onto Lillard at all costs, they can actually compete with the superstar point guard still in his prime at 32 years old. The fact that Williamson, George, and Turner are all dealing with their own issues and could benefit from a change of scenery fits well into Portland’s plans.
A player of Damian Lillard’s skill doesn’t come by often, which is exactly why the Trail Blazers need to hold onto him and not freely let him go. Competing and going all-in is the best course of action since Dame is 32 years old, Zion is 22, George is 33, and Turner is 27 years old. That is a tremendous core to contend with now and in the future over the next few seasons. Time is of the essence for Portland and they can’t afford to waste Damian Lillard’s prime by kickstarting a long rebuild by trading him. Instead, Lillard, Williamson, George, and Turner create a superteam with exceptional ability on both ends of the court. If this team makes the Finals, Lillard is the best player on the team and will likely win Finals MVP, which takes his legacy to another level as possibly a top-50 player of all time.Â
