The Blazers are undoubtedly one of the most disappointing teams this season, not only missing the playoffs, but also playing poorly on both ends of the offensive and defensive ends, with the Blazers ranking 18th in the league in offensive efficiency and 27th in defensive efficiency in the regular season. However, Lillard, the star of the Blazers, has posted the best statistics of his career, averaging 32.1 points per game. Lillard has always wanted to stage a one-man-one-city in Portland, but Lillard has made it clear in recent days that he is not willing to rebuild with the 19-year-old. According to Trail Blazers reporter Sean Haikin, Lillard is tired of waiting for young people to grow up, and his goal is still to lead the team to the playoffs. Obviously, the Blazers only have two options, the first to trade Lillard, and the second to rebuild the team around Lillard, but because Lillard's salary is too high, it is difficult for the Blazers to trade him.
Eddie Bittal, a reporter in the US media bleachers, wrote that the Blazers will build a super team around Lillard in the offseason, which involved 3 transactions, the first of which was for the Blazers to exchange Nurkic and Knox for Nazrid. Nurkic is a consistent interior lineman who averaged 13.3 points and 9.1 rebounds per game this season, but due to his limited size and speed, he struggled to provide effective blocking, and he was not suited to a fast-paced style of play and Lillard's style of play. Naz Reid is an excellent center, he averaged 11.5 points and 4.9 rebounds this season, although the statistics are not as good as Nurkic, but Reed's shooting ability is good, his 3-point shooting rate this season is 34.6%, overall, Reid has a good finishing ability under the basket and mid-range shooting, is a spatial interior lineman, and is a good match for Lillard.
The second trade was for the Warriors to send Grant away, as well as the 2023 second-round pick and the 2026 first-round pick in exchange for the Warriors' dream Green. For the Blazers, if they want to make the playoffs, they need some veterans to provide defense, valuable experience and leadership, and Dream Green is obviously a good choice. Green has excellent defensive changing ability and can also be a ball-carrying forward who can bring the attributes of a strong team to Portland. Since Poole, Wiggins and the Warriors signed a contract extension, it is difficult for Green to get a satisfactory extension in the Warriors, although the Los Angeles Lakers expect Green to jump out of the contract and sign the team with a lower annual salary, but the Warriors are not fools, he is bound to want to reclaim some future assets on Green. Grant was also a good fit to play next to Curry, with a first-round pick and a second-round pick gladly allowing the Warriors to accept the deal.
In the third trade, the Blazers sent Simmons, Seibl and a 2023 first-round pick in exchange for Jaylen Green of the Celtics. Jaylen Brown is the last piece of the puzzle for the Blazers to build a super lineup, Jaylen Brown has played well this season, averaging 26.6 points per game and shooting 49.1%, and can shoot from far and with the ball in the opponent's hinterland, while providing the team with top-level defense. In this deal, the Celtics did not get a large number of first-round picks, but they did not lose, Simmons played at the level of an All-Star guard this season, averaging 21.1 points per game and shooting 37.7% from 3-point range. Seib, who got from the 76ers, also found a feeling in 3-point shooting, after joining the Blazers, Seibl shot nearly 39% from 3-point range, and his strength lies in defense, and the future ceiling is not low, and the Blazers' 2023 first-round pick is very valuable, and the Celtics have no reason to refuse.
After the deal was reached, the Blazers started Lillard, Sharp, Jaylen Brown, Dream Green, Reid, such a balanced lineup offensive and defensive, and full of energy, Brown is only 22 years old, Sharp is 19 years old, and Reid is only 23 years old. At that time, Brownlillard will be responsible for attacking the city, Green will be responsible for defense and organization, Reid will provide rebounds and frames with excellent athleticism, no one dares to underestimate them in the West, and they also have the capital to compete with the Nuggets, Clippers, Suns, and Lakers. If the Blazers can recruit some quality veterans to put on the bench, then they have what it takes to win a championship. What do you think about this?