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Portland Trail Blazers: 3 trades team should make before deadline

By Ty Delbridge

SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 7: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 7, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - JANUARY 7: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 7, 2019 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

3. Trade with the Atlanta Hawks

Why the Blazers make this trade

The Blazers need to find a 3-and-D wing, and Taurean Waller-Prince might be the guy for them. He is 6’8” and 220 pounds, is only 24 years old and has two more years left on his rookie deal. The Hawks have been reportedly shopping him for some time as they are in a full rebuild.

Prince could start at small forward for the Blazers with Hood, Maurice Harkless and Jake Layman as the backup wings. For his career, Prince is averaging 11.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 42.2 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from the 3-point line.

Jeremey Lin is a solid guard who would be a significant improvement over Seth Curry. Lin would be a fantastic backup to both Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, and could even play alongside them in a three-guard lineup that head coach Terry Stotts likes to use from time to time. Lin is on an expiring contract and the Blazers could either let him walk after the season or try and bring him back on a favorable deal.

The Blazers do have to give up a first round pick in this trade, but it allows them to get out of Evan Turners remaining contract. They acquire a young asset in Prince, who is probably better than anyone the Blazers would select in the mid-20s in this draft class. Lin is a good talent and would help Portland in a playoff series. This trade allows the Blazers to save money as well as improve their team.

Why the Hawks make this trade

The Hawks are trying to be as bad as possible this season so they have a shot at a top pick in the 2019 NBA Draft. They also should try to use their cap space to get more young assets on their team — either young players or draft picks.

For taking on Turner’s two remaining years, they get an unprotected first round pick from Portland to add to their arsenal. Turner is not a bad player but could be a buyout candidate for the Hawks next year if they don’t want to keep him. He would be a good locker room veteran on a younger rebuilding team.

Curry has one year left on his deal and then has a player option for next season. Regardless of what team Curry is on, he is most likely to decline that option and hit free agency for a better contract. This would allow the Hawks to have an open roster spot this offseason. The Hawks get some value in this deal by trading Lin, who has no future in Atlanta past this season, and Prince, who the Hawks new management seems to want to move on from.

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