NBA Trade Deadline: 5 contenders who should crash the Anthony Davis sweepstakes

NBA New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NBA New Orleans Pelicans (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
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NBA Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard has spoken publicly about wanting another star in Portland. The Blazers can’t get over the first round hump, but with Anthony Davis, that becomes a regular occurrence. If the Blazers can keep CJ McCollum over Jusuf Nurkic, the chances of Lillard, McCollum, and Davis scoring a combined 70-75 points a night is very possible.

Portland record: 31-20, 4th in the West

Portland receives: Anthony Davis and E’Twaun Moore

New Orleans receives: Jusuf Nurkic Evan Turner, Mo Harkless, and a 2019 1st Round Draft Pick

Portland could also move Seth Curry or Meyers Leonard if requested. If the Blazers make Nurkic available, it would be hard to pass up a big man under contract on a team friendly deal. Portland would likely have to deal a couple picks and short-term veterans like Turner or Harkless to make the Pelicans rebuild less painful.