But this roster is more than one splashy free agent away from making any noise in the West, and it should be prioritizing internal development over everything else. Yes, it's true they owe their 2024 first-rounder (top-four protected) to the Oklahoma City Thunder and therefore don't have an incentive to tank. Houston Rockets Receive: Ben Simmons, 2027 first-round pick (via PHI), 2026 second-round pick, 2028 second-round pickįorget all the James Harden nonsense and the Rockets' intention to start winning games in 2023-24. Miami, forever in search of instant superstar gratification, is the right landing spot. Call it cold and dispassionate, but the Blazers should move him now, before his value dips. Lillard has yet to formally request a trade, but he's done just about everything short of that final step, including listing Miami as his "obviously" preferred destination if a deal were to get done.ĭame is coming off a career year, will turn 33 in July and has one of the most onerous contracts in the league. The pain of taking on Lowry's expiring $29.6 million salary will be short-lived, leaving Portland with Herro, Henderson and Sharpe in the backcourt, plus massive cap relief starting in 2024-25. Miami gets its third star in Lillard to pair with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, and the Blazers pivot into the rebuild so many have been clamoring for. But it was the most recent superstar move, and it should hearten the Blazers that this is a better return than the Wizards secured-mostly because of the two unprotected first-rounders coming from a Heat team that could see some lean years after its core ages out. The Washington Wizards painted themselves into a corner by giving Bradley Beal a no-trade clause, so that deal isn't the best comparison. Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick The alternatives-maxing him out or losing him for nothing-are scary.įrom Portland's perspective, swapping out Simons from a suddenly crowded backcourt for a two-time All-Star forward gives Damian Lillard a top-flight running mate-if only for one season. But if a soft reset is in the cards, moving Siakam for some value now could be the better play. If Toronto intends to run it back with the same core, retaining Siakam and hoping it can re-sign him for less than the max next summer makes sense. With Fred VanVleet possibly departing in free agency, the Raptors have a glaring hole at the point-one Simons, a 24-year-old with a career 38.7 percent hit rate from deep, could fill. The Blazers could have a shot to land Siakam with Simons as the main outgoing asset, provided they attach some young pieces like 2023 draftees Murray and Rupert, plus Little for some salary filler. ![]() Not only is Henderson off the table in that scenario, but so is Shaedon Sharpe. If he's more of a rental than a keeper, that changes everything. ![]() Siakam tanked his trade value (perhaps purposely?) by suggesting he wouldn't re-sign with a team if traded away from Toronto, per Matt Moore of the Action Network. The Blazers might feel a little more covetous if the headliner of a package for Siakam were a less valuable asset, like Simons. But that report referred to Portland's reticence to move the No. The Blazers don't "truly covet" either Siakam or OG Anunoby, per Yahoo! Sports' Jake Fischer. Toronto Raptors Receive: Anfernee Simons, Kris Murray, Rayan Rupert and Nassir Little Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Pascal Siakam
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