NBA trade rumors again include the Portland Trail Blazers as general manager Neil Olshey tries to find ways to improve the roster for the 2017-18 NBA season. After selecting Zach Collins with the No. 10 pick of the 2017 Nba Draft, the Blazers are now looking to add additional pieces through trades or free agent signings. Can Olshey convince another team to take on one of the really bad contracts that could push the Blazers deep into the luxury tax penalty?
Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan have been receiving high marks from the Portland Trail Blazers coaches since the team drafted them.
It could be huge for the Blazers if both players are ready to take on heavy minutes in the coming NBA season, as that would limit the impact that other free agent signings will have to have on the team. With a core of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum still in place, the Blazers are expected to make the NBA Playoffs once again.
Should Blazers fans believe Paul George trade rumors?
Some previous Portland Trail Blazers trade rumors indicate the team was pushing hard to acquire Paul George before the 2017 NBA Draft took place. While the Blazers could certainly use an All-Star small forward, the cost was seen as far too high, as the Indiana Pacers reportedly wanted to regain C.J. McCollum in any deal.
It is also highly unlikely that the asking price has been reduced since the draft took place.
It's not really likely that any of the NBA trade rumors linking the Blazers and Pacers will come to fruition unless the Pacers are also willing to take on one or two of the bad contracts the Blazers have on the payroll. The Blazers owe Allen Crabbe $18.5 million, Evan Turner $17.1 million, and Meyers Leonard nearly $10 million just for next season.
If the Blazers could part with any part of that trio, the franchise would be able to save a lot in luxury tax penalties.
Will the Blazers give away draft picks to get rid of salaries?
In order for the Portland Trail Blazers to get lower than the nearly $140 million in estimated salaries for the 2017-18 NBA season, the front office may have to give away future draft picks in order to convince other teams to take on those players.
Evan Turner and Allen Crabbe could have value on the right roster, but no team is going to take on their salaries without further compensation. With those salaries on the books, the Blazers likely can't add any free agents either.
One interesting scenario coming up in NBA trade rumors is that the Portland Trail Blazers could look to acquire All-Star small forward Carmelo Anthony from the New York Knicks. If Knicks team president Phil Jackson is willing to take back Turner or Crabbe, along with Meyers and several future NBA draft picks, then a deal might be possible between the two teams. Could a roster of Damian Lillard, C.J. McCollum, Carmelo Anthony, Zach Collins, and Jusuf Nurkic be competitive with the Golden State Warriors during the 2018 NBA Playoffs?
