NBA Trades: 10 win-now deals Portland can make to give Dame a co-star

Co-star #3: Trae Young

If the Atlanta Hawks decide to blow things up, this trade might be of some interest to them. After giving up three first-round picks and two pick swaps to land Dejounte Murray, the Hawks have few draft assets going forward.

As a result, if they look to move Young, then receiving picks and young players back will be important to try and replenish their assets. They could also trade Murray for even more assets, but receiving two from the Blazers is a good start.

Additionally, Simons had a breakout season, averaging 21 points per game while shooting 38% on 7.2 threes per game. At just 23, he is the same age as Young but much cheaper and doesn’t have the same baggage. Young, of course, is better, and the Blazers would be acquiring him to be a 1-A option beside Dame. It might not boost their ceiling all that much, but giving Lillard another legit star is a start.

Young is under contract for four seasons after this one, ensuring that he’ll stay put in Portland for the foreseeable future, which could persuade Lillard to stay too. At nearly 34 and with two years remaining on his contract, he is inching closer toward being a lifetime Blazer, and acquiring Young could seal the deal.

That would be an added bonus to a deal that could also ensure that Portland has its next star to build around when Lillard retires. This trade certainly makes sense for the Blazers, and possibly the Hawks, if they hit reset on their franchise.