Portland Trail Blazers: 5 potential deals before 2018 NBA trade deadline

(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images /

 3. Wilson Chandler

Wilson Chandler is playing in his 10th season in the NBA. He is set to make $12 million this season and $12.8 million next season with a player option.

This year, Chandler is averaging 9.2 points, 5.5 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game while shooting 32.1 percent from the 3-point line. He is having a down year, and the Denver Nuggets may be looking to move him for cheaper than they usually would.

Chandler is a 6’8″ small forward and could come in and start right away for Portland. He is a more of a do-it-all wing and doesn’t do any one thing great. Chandler has the size and ability to play some small-ball power forward. He can score in the post as he as strength to back down weaker bigs and small guys when he gets a mismatch.

At 30 years old he would be more of a fourth or fifth scoring option in Portland and would see more open looks than he has in Denver. Portland can put him in pick-and-roll situations as the screener and have him either roll to the hoop or leak out for a jumper. He can create offense one-on-one and can score from all over the floor.

The last time Portland made a trade with Denver, it worked out well for them.

Why the Nuggets might do this trade

The Nuggets could trade the 30-year-old Chandler for two guys from the Blazers.

Noah Vonleh is 22 and Harkless is 24. The Nuggets have enough guys on their roster who can score the ball and make plays. They gain two guys who do little things like rebound, play defense and make hustle plays. Vonleh has one year left on his deal, the Nuggets could save money and let him walk this summer. They could also bring him back for cheap since he hasn’t had a strong career to this point.

The Nuggets and Blazers would only make a trade if one of them is not going to make the playoffs. I doubt they would want to help each other out.