The LA Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers find their pieces for the future.
Despite trading away multiple players, including Norman Powell and Terance Mann, the LA Clippers will receive Damian Lillard, a player the front office has been searching for quite some time. To a certain extent, LA has never had a ‘true’ point guard after Chris Paul’s departure. Sure, Russell Westbrook fills in the gap, but Lillard would elevate the current roster to superteam status.
Moreover, any trade involving a return of Lillard’s caliber should be considered a win. If he can remain healthy, it would be no mistake to have the Clippers winning it all next season. There is also a real chance that Lillard, Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George could see the all-star team next season and get All-NBA honors.
Conversely, Portland reunites with Powell, who could help them rebuild for the future while staying in the play-in tournament race. Powell could also help the Blazers’ third overall pick, Scoot Henderson, in a variety of ways, including scoring at the highest level and defending on the perimeter.
What’s more, Mann also ends up in Portland. The numbers may not show it, but Mann’s impact alone makes him one of the best role players in the league. He seems to be great at everything, but with a real opportunity in a new city, he could rise to be an all-star. Behind Mann is Amir Coffey, yet another young player who could leap to stardom.
Portland also finds itself with Marcus Morris Sr., who could help develop these young stars while improving his statistics in a new city. This proposal is certainly a win for the LA Clippers and Portland Trail Blazers.