One crazy trade every NBA team should make

10. Portland Trailblazers

I don’t drink, but I would if I lived in Portland. I’m told they have many fine microbreweries with all sorts of staples and styles to sate the most casual novice to the most adept drunkard. They have lovely views of clouds and trees and more clouds that inspire nothing but the idea of booze. They also have the Portland Trailblazers.

It’s the expectations thing again. Portland can’t really win there. They’re having trouble winning basketball games too. It’s all a big problem, and problems are bad.

Last year they had a similar record to the one they have now. At about this time, the run to the playoffs started. The lack of expectations in this team is so parallel to last year that it almost brings expectation that they will turn it around in just the same way. That isn’t a kind thing to expect from a team missing their one real defensive anchor. What does Portland do?

They do what Portland does. Not season to season, but as an organizational staple. They take players from small schools and turn them into stars. First Lillard. Then McCollum. Next?

Next is Cleanthony Early.

Oh hell yeah it is. It’s got to be. There was buzz around him when he was drafted, but the muted “I dunno if I should speak up about this guy because there’s not a lot to speak on” type. That’s a code only Portland’s been able to translate. Early is in the Knicks organization. Nothing good happens to young players in the Knicks organization. Who knows what he could be if he were free? Portland knows, and Portland will show us.

Two conditional 2nd round picks to the New York Knicks for Cleanthony Early