The Portland Trail Blazers are gearing up for a crucial offseason, and they've already made a significant move by bringing in Micah Nori, formerly of the Minnesota Timberwolves, as their new head coach. With an eye on bolstering their roster, the Blazers have been linked to Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown in trade discussions, looking to add a dynamic scoring wing to complement Deni Avdija.
However, NBA insider Michael Scotto from Hoopshype has shed light on a potential Plan B for Portland if the pursuit of Brown doesn't pan out. According to Scotto, the Blazers have shown interest in trading for Aaron Gordon, should their preferred target, Brown, remain out of reach.
The Denver Nuggets might consider parting with Gordon this offseason as they aim to reshape their roster around Nikola Jokic. Gordon's recent struggles with injuries have fueled speculation about his future in Denver. Interestingly, the Celtics are also keeping an eye on Gordon, adding another layer to this offseason's trade intrigue.
While Gordon doesn't bring the same perimeter scoring prowess as Brown, his versatility could be a boon for the Blazers. He's capable of guarding multiple positions, finishing alley-oops, dominating the boards, and he's become a respectable three-point shooter in recent seasons. From a trade perspective, Gordon might be a more attainable target than Brown, given his age and injury history, making him a viable fallback option for Portland.
As the offseason heats up, the Blazers will shift their focus to the NBA free agency period, which kicks off on Tuesday evening. This period promises to be pivotal for Portland as they seek to enhance their roster and make a significant leap in the competitive landscape of the NBA.
In Other News...
Celtics May Finally Have A Real Answer To Their Frontcourt Problem
Bostons frontcourt needs have been obvious enough that any big man who can stretch the floor and handle minutes at both the four and the five is going to draw attention. Sandro Mamukelashvili fits that mold, and after a season in which he averaged 11.2 points and 4.9 rebounds, he is shaping up as one of the more interesting names Boston could monitor if the market opens up the way many around the league expect.
The Celtics are already weighing a range of options to bolster that part of the roster, and Mamukelashvili would give them a different kind of answer than the traditional rim protector search that usually comes with these conversations. He is also the sort of player who could attract multiple bidders, especially if his next deal lands in the range of the non-taxpayer mid-level exception, which is why Bostons interest may end up being only one piece of a much busier frontcourt picture. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics May Have A Real Opening To Fix Their Biggest Need
The Celtics have spent plenty of time looking for a cleaner answer at power forward, and a new report suggests that answer could come from an unexpected place. NBA insider Michael Scotto reported that Denver may be open to a notable roster reset, and that has put a pair of Nuggets forwards on Bostons radar as the front office continues to scan for help on the wing and in the frontcourt.
Cam Johnson stands out because of his expiring deal and the value he has shown with career-best production from the field and beyond the arc. Aaron Gordon brings a different kind of appeal, since he could give Boston the sturdier power forward option it has lacked and allow Jayson Tatum to slide back into small forward, which is why multiple teams have shown interest in both players. [Read more 🡒]
Celtics Fans Wont Love The Latest Jaylen Brown Trade Twist
The Celtics search for frontcourt help has taken another familiar turn, and it still traces back to the broader questions surrounding Jaylen Brown. Boston has shown interest in Naz Reid as a possible piece to strengthen the front line, which fits with the teams push to find more size and flexibility around its core. Reid had even come up in trade conversations before his move to Charlotte, a reminder that the Celtics have been casting a wide net as they look for ways to rework the roster.
For now, though, the path appears unclear. Charlotte seems more inclined to hold onto Reid than move him, which leaves Boston waiting on a target that does not look easily available. So the Celtics keep searching for alternative ways to improve their frontcourt, while the larger Brown trade landscape remains one of the biggest variables shaping what comes next. [Read more 🡒]