NBA Trades: 3 more trades to continue the Trail Blazers’ roster overhaul

NBA Trades: 3 more trades to continue the Trail Blazers’ roster overhaul – PJ Washington

The Charlotte Hornets are going to have a lot of money invested in their forward spots, with Miles Bridges in line for a max contract this summer and Gordon Hayward making over $30 million next season and one more past that. That leaves no room to pay PJ Washington, the odd man out.

The Hornets are looking for an upgrade at center, and Jusuf Nurkic can bring hard screen-setting and high-level defensive impact. He is a true rim protector, and his ability to move his feet is underrated. He could anchor a defense that relies on forcing turnovers on the perimeter.

Portland would get a four to pair with Nassir Little on a much younger timeline than Nurkic, and one who will be cost-controlled for quite some time. To replace Nurkic in the short-term, the Blazers bring back old friend Mason Plumlee who had excellent chemistry with Damian Lillard during his first stop in Portland.

The Blazers are most likely not done this deadline, but whether or not they go for a big swing or continue to move veterans for future flexibility is yet to be seen. The unlikeliest course of action is, of course, the biggest – moving Damian Lillard. Given that the original version of this column included a McCollum-to-the-Pelicans deal, anything is possible.