The Losing Edge: 7 NBA teams that should be lining up to tank for Cooper Flagg

Portland Trail Blazers

With news that the Portland Trail Blazers are hoping to move on from Jerami Grant and/or Anfernee Simons before the start of training camp, it seems increasingly clear that they are looking to enter the Flagg sweepstakes. Moving either would help them add picks to their draft stockpile while also presumably making their team worse.

It would also put the ball in the hands of Scoot Henderson more, who, despite an ugly start to his rookie season, began to play better during the second half of the year. Giving him more opportunity to create should accelerate his development but not necessarily translate into wins, which would be a good thing for the Blazers long-term.

After all, if Henderson looks like a rising star after next season and the Blazers end up with Flagg, then their rebuild could be over in a matter of a few seasons. Both players, assuming that they reach their full potential, would help Portland make it back to the playoffs much quicker than simply playing out the rebuild normally.

Therefore, it's potentially worth it to trade away their better players if it gives Henderson the chance to develop quicker. Additionally, even a 14% chance of landing a potential superstar is great odds for the Blazers, who wouldn't otherwise be able to sign one or trade for one.