The Portland Trail Blazers finally got some playoff experience for their young team this season. While they lost to the Spurs in the first round, they were able to experience meaningful basketball in April. That’s important for what they are trying to build.
Now, this summer is about improving that roster so that they actually can win when it comes to the postseason. They have plenty of assets to make a big trade, and they have been mentioned as a stealth Giannis Antetokounmpo team. The Blazers certainly would benefit from bringing him in.
A trade proposal from Bleacher Report would actually see the Trail Blazers bring in Jamal Murray in exchange for a possible lottery bust.
GettyDenver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray drives the ball. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
Trail Blazers Add Jamal Murray in Bold Trade Proposal
Here is the full trade idea:
Denver Nuggets Acquire: Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, 2028 first-round pick (via MIL; top-4 protected), 2029 first-round pick (via BOS)
Portland Trail Blazers Acquire: Jamal Murray
Giving on Henderson would sting. He was the former third overall pick in the draft, and he hasn’t been able to put it all together. Henderson scored 31 points in one game against the Spurs before being held scoreless in another. Yet, adding Murray would make them better immediately.
Murray would fit well next to Deni Avdija, who is clearly Portland’s best player. Sending Holiday in this chat would also allow the Blazers to get younger at that spot, while also more reliable. Henderson just isn’t consistent enough to be relied on yet.
Yet, this might be too much to give up for just one player. Adding two first-round picks in this trade might be too much for Portland to part with. They might be able to put this package together for a player who hasn’t had two straight stinker performances in the postseason.
GettyPortland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday shoots the ball. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
Portland Will be Active in the Trade Market this Offseason
While the Trail Blazers might not execute a trade for Murray, they will certainly be active this summer. They have enough assets to get involved with one of the many superstars available. Antetokounmpo will be in play, but they could also pursue Kawhi Leonard.
Portland also needs to figure out what they are doing with the head coaching position first. It seems unlikely that Tiago Splitter is returning. Tom Dundon seems hellbent on bringing in the cheapest possible replacement, which could backfire in a major way.
The chatter around Dundon’s perceived cheapness could also impact their ability to bring players in via a trade. Players on expiring deals might not want to go to Portland if they aren’t going to be re-signed to a deal that is commiserate with their value.
Still, it would be surprising if Portland didn’t try to make a big splash this offseason when it comes to making trades. It makes sense for them to use some of their trade chips, especially with Damian Lillard returning next season.
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