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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 Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

1. Trade with the New Orleans Pelicans

Why the Blazers make this trade

The reason the Blazers make this deal is they need a big man who can space the floor. Lillard hasn’t played with a true pick-and-pop player since LaMarcus Aldridge left in free agency. They need more shooting on the floor, as that was a weakness that was exposed in last year’s playoffs.

Nikola Mirotic is an offensive weapon at 6’10” and 250 pounds, and would thrive playing alongside Lillard, McCollum and Nurkic. Defenses would have a hard time trapping Lillard or McCollum on pick-and-rolls with Mirotic on the floor and teams could not send help defense to Nurkic down low.

For his career, Mirotic is averaging 12.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.7 blocks per game while shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 35.9 percent from the 3-point line. He is currently playing on the final year of his contract and is set to hit free agency as an unrestricted free agent.

The Blazers move on from Harkless and their 2019 first round pick. Harkless has been an off-and-on starter for the Blazers for a couple seasons and could start to see less playing time now with Rodney Hood on the team.

Head coach Terry Stotts has been playing Jake Layman and Evan Turner a lot more and can slide Al-Farouq Aminu over to small forward if needed. Adding Mirotic to the roster could make Harkless start falling out of the rotation even more. The first round pick and the second round pick from the Blazers is really what is going to make this deal happen. Portland is usually protective of draft picks, but it has to start taking some gambles to improve.

Why the Pelicans make this trade

The New Orleans Pelicans have been in the NBA spotlight lately since their superstar Anthony Davis requested a trade. If and when the Pelicans decide to trade Davis, they will want to have good players on the roster and have some assets to use to improve their team for the future. It has also been reported that the Pelicans would like to trade Mirotic instead of possibly losing him in free agency for nothing.

Harkless has been in the league for seven seasons and is still only 25. He is a long, athletic forward that can play and defend multiple positions. He could start for the Pelicans at small forward or be an essential role player off the bench depending on what they get in the Davis trade. Harkless is under contract for the rest of this season and next.

The Pelicans could use the draft picks from the Blazers in some other trades at the deadline or during the offseason. This trade allows New Orleans to get some substantial value from a guy who could leave for nothing this summer if they kept him.

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The Pelicans might want Zach Collins, Anfernee Simons or Gary Trent Jr. included in the deal, but since there is no guarantee that Mirotic stays in Portland after the season, a first and second round draft pick should do for young assets.

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