Here are three ways the recent Carmelo Anthony trade affects the Portland Trail Blazers.
According to FOX Sports television reporter and radio personality, Jason McIntyre, 10-time NBA All-Star Carmelo Anthony was at first considering a trade to the Portland Trail Blazers should his preferred destination, the Houston Rockets, refuse to make a deal with the New York Knicks.
That short list, however, quickly grew to four when ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Melo was also strongly considering a trade to either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Oklahoma City Thunder.
And like a flash of lightning, news that Melo was headed to join Russell Westbrook and Paul George in OKC was plastered all over the Internet. Wojnarowksi is credited for breaking the story — just 16 hours after reporting that Melo had extended his short list of preferred destinations to include OKC.
My point in question– was this just a case of the early bird getting the worm, or were the Blazers simply not willing to give up assets equal to a package of Doug McDermott, Enes Kanter and a second round draft pick?
Whatever the case may be, the Portland is likely to be on the receiving end of a few repercussions after losing out on Melo. Here’s a list of three ways the Melo trade could affect the future of Rip City.
3. Faith in the franchise
Portland Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey has made a number of questionable moves as of late: the Festus Ezeli fiasco; signing Evan Turner to a ginormous contract; overpaying Allen Crabbe, Maurice Harkless and Meyers Leonard; and going all in on Zach Collins.
His latest decision to not go all in on a trade for Carmelo Anthony is also reasonably questionable.
Let’s face the facts: Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum had previously gone on record to say they were hoping Rip City could add a talent like Melo this summer, and prior to Melo publicly stating his desire to be traded before training camp, his short list of preferred destinations earlier this summer had already included these four teams.
So why didn’t Olshey jump at the chance to add a player for whom two of his star players had previously advocated? Was a package equal to the one given by the Oklahoma City Thunder really too much to put together?
To be fair, Olshey is credited for many of the moves that have resulted in the team’s four consecutive playoff appearances — including the trade for Jusuf Nurkic. This is why Olshey was rewarded with a multiyear extension back in August. In addition, it’s reasonably questionable whether Melo would have even fit in Portland anyway.
Further research on the matter, however, revealed that Melo had quietly rescinded his desire to be traded to Portland after extending his short list to include the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Per ESPN:
"“Once Anthony expanded his list of teams to include Cleveland and Oklahoma City within the past 10 days, Perry had more flexibility to move Anthony. Perry remained in contact with Portland Trail Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey, who had the most versatile array of assets for New York and motivation to make the deal — but, ultimately, Anthony would not accept a trade to the Pacific Northwest. “Anthony was intrigued with a potential partnership with Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic, and the stability and track record of the front office and coaching staff in Portland, but did not want to make such a dramatic geographic shift, league sources said.”"
In my incredibly humble opinion, Melo’s refusal to waive his trade clause due to avoid having to “make such a dramatic geographic shift” is among the most idiotic things I’ve ever heard. To think that a competitor would give up a chance to join a winning team in a great city simply because he or she didn’t want to travel a certain distance is preposterous.
Nevertheless, professional athletes are people too, and it’s understandable why a person would be hesitant to move from the East Coast to the West Coast; yet it brings up the question of whether Portland is even a desirable destination for free agents — and that’s considering the fact that the franchise has a proven track record of winning.
2. Northwest Division
The Northwest Division will arguably be the toughest division in the NBA this season. Each of the five teams in that division — the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Portland Trail Blazers, the Utah Jazz, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets — are expected to make the playoffs this year.
Prior to the Carmelo Anthony trade, I would have considered the Blazers to be a contender for the Northwest Division title this season. Following the Carmelo Anthony trade, I highly believe the Thunder are the second-best team in the NBA, and they are the most likely team to take the division title, as well.
So not only did the Blazers lose out on a chance to add Anthony as the fourth cog in their machine, but they also end up allowing a division rival to swipe him up. Safe to say Portland’s battles with OKC this season will be quite interesting.
1. 2018 NBA Playoffs
Barring any long-term injuries or issues, the Portland Trail Blazers will make the playoffs in the West. I think the fifth seed in the West is their best-case scenario.
If the Blazers earn the fifth seed, I can see them matching up with either the Houston Rockets or the San Antonio Spurs in the first round — both of whom I believe the Blazers are capable of defeating.
However, should the Blazers end up falling to one of the three lower seeds, it’s entirely possible they end up matching up with the Oklahoma City Thunder, resulting in a first round exit.
Next: NBA Trade Grades - Knicks send Carmelo Anthony to Thunder
The Thunder were already dangerous with Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Steven Adams, and frankly, the Blazers never had guys that could match up with them on paper. Adding Carmelo Anthony into the mix is the nail in the coffin.