The Portland Trail Blazers are slated to become one of the most discussed teams for potential trades between now and February’s deadline. The franchise has entered into a rebuild and is targeting multiple players to help transform the struggling team back into a playoff contender.
Portland Trail Blazers could make a trade with the Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, or Brooklyn Nets
In a new trade proposal from Dan Favale of Bleacher Report, the Trail Blazers have been rumored to strike a deal with the Los Angeles Lakers. Four-time MVP LeBron James turns 40 next month, and the team is looking to add a young big man.
Additionally, the Lakers lack size amid injuries to Christian Wood (knee), Jaxson Hayes (ankle), and Jarred Vanderbilt (foot). This means adding a 7-footer into the mix is a possibility for the Purple and Gold.
D’Angelo Russell — Los Angeles Lakers
Favale has the Lakers trading D’Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura, Gabe Vincent, a 2029 first-round pick, a 2030 first-round pick swap, and a 2031 first-round pick to the Atlanta Hawks for Trae Young. Now, Young could end up joining James and Anthony Davis as the third superstar.
However, the Lakers are also dealing with major problems at their center depth. L.A. ranks 23rd in total rebounds per game (50.8) and 25th in opponent shooting percentage (47.7%). Portland centers Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III and combo forward Jerami Grant have been mentioned in trade talks since the summer.
Los Angeles could send Russell, Hachimura, Jalen Hood-Schifino, and picks to the Blazers for Ayton and Dalano Banton. Russell would give the Trail Blazers an expiring contract. The 10-year veteran could also be used to flip for more assets. Of course, Hood-Schifino is just 21 years old as well.
Brandon Ingram — New Orleans Pelicans
The Trail Blazers potentially trading for Pelicans star forward Brandon Ingram would be neither good nor bad. On paper, such a move is just meh. New Orleans entered the season without a starting-caliber center. To make matters worse, Ingram is still reportedly seeking a four-year, $200 million extension, which the Pelicans have yet to offer.
Since Dejounte Murray (hand), CJ McCollum (hip), Herb Jones (shoulder), and Zion Williamson (hamstring) are all missing significant time, New Orleans could make a big move before the trade deadline. Ayton is perhaps the most logical candidate at center. Although Ayton lacks defensive versatility, he averages a double-double per game.
Per Spotrac, Ingram’s $36 million salary is right above Ayton’s $34 million, but he’s on an expiring deal, while Ayton is under contract through 2025-26. The worst-case scenario is that Portland lets him walk next summer. As a result, the team would gain a bit of extra flexibility with Ayton gone.
Ayton, 26, is the highest-paid player on the Blazers’ roster, while Ingram is second for New Orleans. The deal would essentially be a convenient swap of Ayton for Ingram. In 14 games (all starts) this season, Ingram has averaged 23.6 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.
Ben Simmons — Brooklyn Nets
Of the three players linked to Rip City, arguably the least desirable option is Nets guard Ben Simmons. The 28-year-old is owed $40.33 million this season, and he’s in the final season of a five-year, $177.24 million contract. Simmons has missed dozens of games in his career due to back and knee injuries.
The three-time All-Star missed last Wednesday’s 139-114 loss to the Boston Celtics, and that matchup marked his first game missed due to injury this season. Through 14 games, the LSU product has missed four contests. He has not appeared in at least 70 games in a season since 2018-19 with the Philadelphia 76ers.
In March, the Nets ruled Simmons out for the remainder of the 2023-24 season before he underwent a successful microscopic partial discectomy to alleviate the nerve impingement in his lower back. Therefore, a trade for Simmons would be a high-risk, low-reward move for the Trail Blazers.
Trail Blazers mock trade
Sports Illustrated’s Matt Lavine put forth an interesting mock trade involving the seven-year veteran. Having said that, it’s a trade proposal that might raise some eyebrows. It would be a three-team trade between the Trail Blazers, Nets, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Trail Blazers receive: Guard Ben Simmons, a 2028 first-round pick swap from Minnesota, a 2025 second-round draft pick from Brooklyn, and a 2026 second-round draft pick from Minnesota
Nets acquire: Forward Julius Randle and guard Rayan Rupert
Timberwolves receive: Forward Jerami Grant and center Duop Reath
Not only would the Trail Blazers gain a few draft picks to help facilitate any future deals, but they would also get rid of the five-year, $160 million contract that Grant signed last July.
Nonetheless, that $160 million deal is fully guaranteed, so the Blazers are stuck on that one. Still, his contract is preventing Portland from undergoing a total rebuild.
