This trade is a win-win for the Clippers and Trail Blazers
For the Portland Trail Blazers, they are receiving an established hall-of-famer from the LA Clippers. Kawhi Leonard, at his best, is not only the best playoff performer in basketball, but his mentality can guide a team like Portland to where they want to be.
Additionally, Leonard’s defensive abilities make him a perfect fit for a team like the Trail Blazers, who have a history of struggling on defense. This also allows their franchise centerpiece, Damian Lillard, to breathe on offense, as he will have a scoring machine by his side.
Another reason this trade is a win for Portland is the circumstances surrounding Lillard and his contract. Though he has stayed loyal to his city since being drafted, it is clear that he wants to win a championship. This is a tough position for the Trail Blazers’ front office as they are constantly in the lottery drafting young talent. Therefore a trade like this fits their scheme perfectly.
Conversely, the LA Clippers begin their rebuild in the best way possible. They will not only be able to draft a talent such as Brandon Miller, but they will also receive Anfernee Simons. This is golden for LA, as Simons is first-option material and is only 23 years old.
The Clippers will also be relieving Portalnd of Jusuf Nurkic’s hefty contract. On the flip side, Nurkic’s experience and offensive components could seriously help LA fight for a playoff spot, despite being in the middle of a rebuild. Not to mention this addition gives the coaching staff a reliable center, which is crucial considering how uncertain Mason Plumlee’s future may be.