Trail Blazers predicted to be dark horse to trade for $150 million two-time Finals MVP, create Big Three with Deni Avdija, Damian Lillard originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Portland Trail Blazers went into this season with no one expecting much of them; now, they are in the playoffs facing off against the San Antonio Spurs. While they probably won’t beat them, this playoff appearance should make them want to improve their team even more.
Currently, they have two superstars, with Deni Avdija currently running the team, and Damian Lillard set to return next season. Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale predicts that the Blazers could be a dark horse to add a third, and overhaul their team by trading for Los Angeles Clippers two-time Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard.
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“Snaring such a high-level prospect could compel the front office to end the Kawhi era. The decision gets easier if the market is frothy enough. And it might be. Leonard is an All-NBA lock after making at least 65 appearances for the second time in three years. His stock isn't getting any higher…The Portland Trail Blazers are a dark horse to swing big after making the playoffs for the first time since 2021, and Kawhi would supercharge an offense that's adding Damian Lillard alongside Deni Avdija next year,” Favale wrote.
This past season, Leonard averaged 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.9 steals in 32 minutes per game. A Big Three of him, Avdija and Lillard could make the Blazers go from Play-In team to playoff locks.
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Leonard’s contract, though, is the real hump. He’s set to make $50 million next season, but the Blazers could work something out with the Clippers to see if they’ll eat some.
If they can make this work, the Blazers would have their best chance to win a title in decades. Hopefully, they can make a proposal good enough that will cause the Clippers to bite.
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