NBA Trade Rumors: Potential Three-Team Deal That Gives Damian Lillard An All-Star Teammate

The Portland Trail Blazers had a lackluster free agency period but made up for it a bit by trading Derrick Jones Jr. and a pick for Larry Nance Jr.

Many applauded the move as it gives the Blazers more depth in the frontcourt, but many also questioned it since Nance is not the needle-moving player that fans have been asking for in Portland.

While it should help quell All-Star Damian Lillard’s demands of a competitive team, it just simply is not enough to push them towards title-contender status.

However, a potential trade for an All-Star forward could satisfy those critics and even give Lillard some help on both ends of the court.

Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley proposed a three-team trade that features the Blazers, Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks.

The trade is as follows:

Portland receives: Kristaps Porzingis

Indiana receives: CJ McCollum

Dallas receives: Myles Turner, Jeremy Lamb, and 2022 first-round pick (lottery protected via Indiana)

Buckley notes that this potential three-team trade does reek of desperation on Portland’s end, but at this point, they have to try something in order to persuade Lillard not to ask for a trade.

Trading for Kristaps Porzingis could be a great thing for Portland as the Blazers ranked 29th in defensive rating by allowing 116.7 points per 100 possessions, according to Cleaning the Glass.

Moreover, Porzingis could certainly help in that category thanks to his length and height.

He immediately boosts the Blazers’ floor talent as he averaged 21.1 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks over the past three seasons, but health can and will almost assuredly play a role in how effective he can be with them.

Nurkic becomes an awkward fit with Porzingis on the team, as Buckley mentioned, but he can be flipped for a wing or another forward that would fit Porzingis and Lillard.

The Latvian has never played a full season since entering the league in 2015, but he possesses a skill set that is seen prominently in big men like Nikola Jokic who allows him to be a threat from anywhere on the court.

With Lillard heading the offense, Porzingis can play a secondary star role alongside him and help push the Blazers into a better position going into the playoffs.

Losing McCollum will be a big blow to Lillard and the Blazers personally, but winning will take some sacrifices and since he and Lillard’s skills overlap, it makes sense to pull the trigger.

The trade is a win for all teams, but having Porzingis play with Lillard in Portland could be the boost that the Blazers desperately need.