5 notable trade targets for Portland Trail Blazers to pair with Damian Lillard

5 noteworthy trade targets for Portland Trail Blazers to pair with Damian Lillard: John Collins

Another player that was a staple in trade rumors throughout the 2021-22 season was John Collins of the Atlanta Hawks. Despite handing Collins a new contract last offseason, the Hawks could be willing to trade him this offseason after a disappointing first-round exit, and it would make sense for the Portland Trail Blazers to look into trading for him.

Although Collins had somewhat of a down year by his typical standards, he was still solid. The forward averaged 16.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and a blocked shot per game. Adding a piece like that to the puzzle in Portland could be captivating, as it would pair Damian Lillard with a brand new running mate that has shown star potential at times.

Offensively, the forward would be an interesting fit alongside Lillard, as the two would be a lethal one-two scoring punch. Though he is not outstanding defensively, he could provide some help on that side of the basketball as well.

If the Blazers were to express interest in Collins, they would have to take on the remaining four years on his contract, which will see him make about $25 million on average. To acquire him, the asking price from Atlanta around the deadline was reportedly a valuable first-round pick and a starting-caliber player, according to B/R’s Jake Fischer.

The Blazers could make that work if the organization believes Collins could help make them more formidable, and they will likely keep an eye on his availability over the next few months.