Phoenix Suns: 5 potential Trevor Ariza trades

5. Portland Trail Blazers

With a Big 3 of Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic, a revamped bench and a massive chip on their shoulders from that first round playoff sweep, the Portland Trail Blazers looked like a force to be reckoned with in the early going, starting the year with a 10-3 record.

Since then, however, the regression many predicted for the 2018-19 campaign has set in. The Blazers have dropped eight of their last 11 games, and during that stretch, they’ve dropped to 20th in 3-point percentage (34.6 percent) and a disastrous 29th in defensive rating (117.1).

Trevor Ariza could help in both of those areas, and though he’s on an expiring deal, this would give Rip City flexibility. If he thrives as the long-awaited 3-and-D wing Portland’s needed all this time, money can be moved around to bring him back. If not, he’s a temporary boost who will come off the books next summer and allow the Blazers to start making decisions about blowing it up.

In terms of what they’d have to give up, Maurice Harkless‘ $10.8 million salary makes the most sense as the financial base. He’s been a serviceable player and is still only 25, but has fallen out of head coach Terry Stotts’ rotation. He’s got another year and $11.5 million on his contract for 2019-20, which means the Blazers would have to attach another asset of some kind.

Asking for Zach Collins would be a nonstarter, but seeing as how rookie Anfernee Simons has only played 34 minutes over five appearances this season, he’d make the most sense. General manager Neil Olshey was high on his long-term potential, but if he sees Ariza as the two-way difference-maker his team needs to ascend out of “first round playoff fodder” territory, a sacrifice has to be made.

Simons would add yet another shooting guard to Phoenix’s roster, but he’s still only 19 years old and could be worth a look if the goal is to get something for Ariza. The Suns could inquire about a protected first round draft pick instead, but probably wouldn’t get very far on that front.