NBA Trade Rumors: 3 Anfernee Simons trades to keep Damian Lillard on Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers land De’Andre Hunter from the Atlanta Hawks

Portland Trail Blazers

In De’Andre Hunter, the Portland Trail Blazers would be adding a two-way presence at a position of need that happens to fit both Dame’s timeline and the youth movement’s. Still only 25 years old, Hunter is a capable shooter who can play off of Lillard, Grant, and the Blazers’ young guards. On defense, he can aptly handle the opponent’s best perimeter player, freeing Grant to play his best role as a roamer.

Bruno Fernando is mostly a salary-filler in this deal, but he’ll provide valuable depth and size to a roster that is severely lacking in both of those areas. Adding a guaranteed first-round pick in 2024 can be used to either add to Portland’s young core or make an additional trade in the future.

Atlanta Hawks

While the Atlanta Hawks already have a talented backcourt in place with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, it’ll be difficult for them to find better value than this deal. Hunter is a perfect fit for Atlanta’s roster at small forward, but they have plenty of options already in place to replicate or even exceed his production.

With Jalen Johnson, A.J. Griffin, Saddiq Bey, and Kobe Bufkin rostered, the Hawks somehow have a wealth of wing depth, even without De’Andre Hunter. Both Johnson and Griffin have shown that they’re ready for more responsibility and may have played a part in Hunter’s stagnated development last season.

Adding Simons to a backcourt already featuring Young and Murray gives Atlanta a fearsome three-headed monster in their guard rotation, guaranteeing that the Hawks can deploy an elite offensive ball-handler at all times. His ability to fill in for Ice Trae might just push Atlanta over the hump, and if it helps keep Lillard in Portland, the Hawks also benefit by preventing a new super team from forming on the Miami Heat in their conference.