Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers were quite active at the 2016 NBA Trade Deadline. At 27-27 and in possession of the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference, most expected Portland to be active—just not like this.
According to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports, the Trail Blazers acquired big man Anderson Varejao from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Orlando gets a second round pick in the Channing Frye deal while Portland gets forward-center Anderson Varejao from Cavs, source said.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) February 18, 2016
Shortly thereafter, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reported that Portland plans to cut ties with Varejao.
The Portland Trail Blazers will likely waive Anderson Varejao, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 18, 2016
This was a salary dump, at its core, but the return was greater than cap relief.
It was a complicated day, and many Trail Blazers fans were temporarily left wondering why the team had acquired Varejao. As more details emerged, however, it became clear that Portland gained a lot more than just a big man who wouldn’t play a minute in its jersey.
Portland received a conditional first-round draft pick—something it gave up just a second-rounder to get.
Further details on Frye/Varejao deal per source: Cunningham from CLE to ORL; Cavs send conditional 1st to POR & 2nd Rd pick from POR to ORL
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) February 18, 2016
Whenever a team can add a first-round draft pick to its collection without giving up a significant asset, it’s had a successful day.
Portland’s best chance to achieve championship glory is to compile assets, master the NBA Draft, and approach free agency with methodical aggressiveness. Damian Lillard is proving himself as a true franchise player, and C.J. McCollum appears to be a star in the making at shooting guard.
Portland addressed the absence of a backup point guard by dealing for Brian Roberts.
MIami has traded guard Brian Roberts and a second-round pick to Portland, league source tells @TheVertical
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 18, 2016
Per Wojnarowski, all of these moves add up to one thing: Portland is positioning itself to add another star-caliber talent to the roster.
Portland is accomplishing two significant things today: Gathering draft assets and reaching the salary cap floor.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 18, 2016
Get excited, Trail Blazers fans. Neil Olshey is gearing up for a big offseason.
Next: The Missing Piece