Four best moments of the Portland Trail Blazers season
The deadline trade
Every so often a team will affect a trade that just works. This was the case when the Portland Trail Blazers sent Kent Bazemore, Anthony Tolliver, and two second-round picks to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Trevor Ariza, Wenyen Gabriel, and Caleb Swanigan.
On paper, this is a solid trade. On the court, this trade was a game-changer. Adding Ariza and his defense to the starting lineup was a stroke of genius. Since his arrival in Rip City, the Trail Blazers have a 10-11 record and this is without the services of Damian Lillard for six games.
On top of this, the Blazers got a back-up center/forward in Caleb Swanigan whose solid body is a little like Steven Adams when setting a screen. When an opposition player hits the Swanigan pick, they feel it for a few plays.
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While he is only averaging 3.0 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, it has been the 13.3 minutes per game where Hassan Whiteside has been able to rest that has been his best contribution to the team. Wenyen Gabriel was also included in the trade.
All the Trail Blazers had to give up was Kent Bazemore and Anthony Tolliver of the current playing roster. They went from a 42 percent win team to a 47 percent win team. Again, this was without the superstar Lillard for six games. I would say well worth the price.