How the Los Angeles Lakers can pivot their direction with help from Portland Trail Blazers
After landing the third-overall pick in the upcoming draft, the Portland Trail Blazers are trending in a completely different direction from the Los Angeles Lakers. By stumbling into two straight seasons of tanking, the Blazers have restocked the cupboard around Damian Lillard and now have several options for how to build a roster ready to return to the playoffs.
Last season, they added Shaedon Sharpe with the seventh-overall pick. After the Blazers shut down Dame for the year, Sharpe took on a lot more on-ball scoring responsibility and showed off the intangibles and potential that made him an enticing prospect despite not playing a single minute of post-high school basketball.
Anfernee Simons continued his ascension that started in the 2021-2022 season, showing the ability to be a consistent 20+ point per game weapon both on and off of the ball while displaying elite efficiency as a 3-point shooter. His prowess for creating and converting tough triples makes him a tailor-made perimeter scorer for today’s game.
Add in the third-overall pick and the 23rd pick that they landed from the New York Knicks trade this past deadline, and the Trail Blazers are suddenly loaded with young talent and assets that they can either build around or use in trades to supplement the roster around Lillard.
General Manager Joe Cronin and the Blazers’ brass have made it clear that they’re committed to Damian Lillard and putting a competitive roster around him for the remainder of his prime. They’re reportedly looking to trade the number three pick to bring in more established talent to help Dame in a title push.
This is where the Los Angeles Lakers come in.
This deal would greatly benefit both teams and fulfill both organizations’ goals.