Blazers help out the Celtics
Here’s the thing for the Portland Trail Blazers; they don’t have to make just one big deal this offseason. You’d have to imagine that they could probably convince Damian Lillard to stay if they were to complete a couple of smart, even small moves. In this hypothetical deal, the Blazers can add to strong rotation players while also giving them the flexibility to make another move down the line.
In this deal, the Blazers get Malcolm Brogdon, a player that doesn’t get nearly enough credit that he deserves. Brogdon is coming off a season in which he won the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award while averaging 15 points, four rebounds, and four assists on 48 percent shooting from the field and 44 percent shooting from 3-point range. He’d be able to return to a starting role next to Lillard and could make all the difference when healthy. Portland would also add depth to the backcourt in the way of Payton Pritchard, who is likely on his way out of Boston.
In exchange, the Blazers send the Celtics Nassir Little, Kevin Knox, and the 23rd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.