Boston trades/Portland receives
Gordon Hayward
Brad Wanamaker
2020 Memphis 1st Round Draft Pick (#14)
Portland trades/Boston receives
Jusuf Nurkic
Trevor Ariza
Mario Hezonja
Boston perspective
Hayward is a luxury for the Celtics. Once he opts in, Boston opts to cash in the value of his final year for a top player at their weakest position. If Theis is retained they have one of the best center rotations in the league, but acquiring Nurkic also secures them against overpaying out of need. Ariza is a natural fit for the Celtics as a long 3&D player. The Celtics lose one pick but still get two more shots at the first round.
Portland perspective
The payroll is unsustainable and the team has plateaued, so the Blazers take a sharp turn and trade their much-loved center for a badly needed dynamic wing. Hayward adds a scoring and playmaking threat that's been missing from this team's forward corps since the departure of Nicolas Batum. Wanamaker is a bit player, but the Blazers learned the worth in having a designated shooter who brings little else during the one-year tenure of Seth Curry.
Trade #2 - Portland, Philadelphia
Philadelphia trades/Portland receives
Al Horford
Josh Richardson
Matisse Thybulle*
2020 1st Round Draft Pick (#21)
Portland trades/Philadelphia receives
CJ McCollum
Nassir Little
(*Note: this is two trades. Thybulle is acquired using the TPE generated by the Kent Bazemore trade.)
Philadelphia perspective
Ah yes, it's CJ to Philadelphia again. But this time, instead of arguing over the value gap between Tobias Harris and McCollum, the Sixers drop the redundant Horford and assemble a big four in the hopes of unlocking the missing dimensions of their offense. McCollum is equally comfortable initiating in key moments or drafting off the other stars' gravity, unselfish but unafraid of the big moments: in sum, exactly the sort of player and character to bring out the best in Simmons and Embiid. Little may or may not be ready to replace Thybulle in the rotation, but he's a prospect with a similar profile not far removed from projections for big things.
Portland perspective
Portland again shortens its salary commitments, adds draft capital and here, improves the defense across the roster. Horford is overpaid and miscast in Philly, but he's a reliable veteran and a great fit both as a rangy, smart defender and a great jump shooter. Thybulle and Richardson will not replace McCollum's offense production but are capable offensive role players and plus defenders -- Thybulle's upside at the defensive end is considerable.
The combined intent of both deals is to give Lillard a whole new look for his supporting cast -- this time a longer and more athletic/switchable roster -- while also easing the transition into the post-Lillard era with some long-term salary relief and cost-controlled assets in Richardson, Thybulle, and two additional draftees, either or both of whom could provide immediate support if Olshey hits on his picks.
Lillard/Wanamaker
Richardson/Trent/Simons
Hood/Thybulle
Hayward/Gabriel/Hoard
Horford/Collins
With picks 14, 16, and 21, based on recent mock drafts, I like the idea of getting another tall guard with explosive scoring and/or two-way potential (e.g., Okoro or Nesmith if one drops, else Green, Hampton, Bane, Stanley, Ramsey), a defensive big (McDaniels, J. Smith, T. Bey, Reed, Oturu), and a young point prospect (Terry, Maledon, Lewis, Maxey). They've also got a second-rounder to either stash a project or bolster the end of the roster with a proven college player (e.g., Riller, Tillie, Tillman, Pritchard).
I don't know that this is a direction I'd commit to for the Blazers, but it's certainly a different look. Now rip it apart!
