The Portland Trail Blazers are better post-NBA trade deadline
By Jack Simone
The Portland Trail Blazers are better post-NBA trade deadline: Versatility
One of the biggest factors helping them achieve these feats is the overwhelming amount of versatility they can put on the floor at all times.
First and foremost, Josh Hart has been a blessing for the Trail Blazers. Most people clowned on Portland for supposedly trading McCollum away for scraps, but Hart looks great.
He’s a guy that can do a little bit of everything on the court, and on both ends of the floor, too. Hart will just as quickly give you 20 points as he will lock up the opposing team’s best player.
It’s become common in the NBA to see solid players break out into stars when put in the right city and right situation. There’s no reason Hart can’t be the next player to do just that.
The 26-year-old can score, he can rebound, he can pass, and he can defend. He’s exactly the type of player any team would love to have as a part of their core, whether they are competing, rebuilding, or anything in between.
Another underrated, versatile player the Blazers added is Justise Winslow. Just a few years ago he was killing it with the Miami Heat, but injuries derailed his career a bit.
Now, he’s been a starter for the Blazers since getting traded there in the deal for Norman Powell. He still hasn’t shot the ball well, but he’s doing just about everything else for Portland, and just like Hart, he’s doing it on both ends.
Lastly, both CJ Elleby and Trendon Watford are going to get extended run. The two young wings may not be the most consistent, but in terms of versatility, they definitely deserve a shoutout.