NBA Trade Deadline 2019: The 30-team mega-deal that solves nothing and makes everyone mad

By Ian Levy | Jan 21, 2019

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 19: Jimmy Butler #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers in action against the Oklahoma City Thunder during a game at Wells Fargo Center on January 19, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Thunder defeated the Sixers 117-115. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 29: San Antonio Spurs Guard Marco Belinelli (18) looks on before a NBA game between the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers on December 29, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers

Sending out: Mo Harkless (NOP)

Bringing in: Marco Belinelli (SAS), Patrick Patterson (OKC)

The Portland Trail Blazers are committed to their core and with several hefty contracts on the book, don’t have a lot of wiggle room to tweak the back-end of their rotation. This doesn’t make a huge impact on their championship odds, but every little bit helps. Harkless has been one of the first wings off the bench for the Blazers but his shooting has regressed and Belinelli and Patterson theoretically represent an upgrade — albeit split between different sides of the ball.

Belinelli is a much better shooter and can create a bit off the dribble, and attack closeouts. Pattern’s shooting has been in the tank since he left Toronto but he isn’t any worse than Harkless. He’s not quite the defender Harkless is but he has the size to defend 4s as well and thus gives them a bit more positional versatility when trying to manage specific defensive matchups.

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