A three-team trade has been reported by Adrian Wojnarowski. The trade will reportedly send Enes Kanter back to Portland, Memphis will get Mario Hezonja, and Desmond Bane, while the Celtics get a future Memphis draft consideration.
Kanter will be returning to Portland after taking a year away, in 23 games with Portland in 2019. Kanter provided 13 points and 9 rebounds for the Blazers coming off the bench as the primary backup to Jusuf Nurkic.
Portland will use their 7M trade exception for Kanter’s 5M contract. This trade almost assures that Hassan Whiteside is on his way out as well.
When Nurkic went down just before the playoffs, Kanter slotted into the starting rotation for the Blazers for eight regular-season games and the entire playoffs. In the fifth game against the Thunder, Kanter separated his left shoulder but continued to play and help the Blazers reach the Western Conference Finals.
With Zach Collins returning from an ankle injury, the Blazers get immediate help at the backup center position. They can slide Collins to the Power Forward.
Mario Hezonja has always been a talented player, who most analysts thought would do well in Portland because of his good three point shooting. But, he was just not able to get it together last year until right before the shut down. In the bubble, he played little to no minutes.
This is the second trade that Portland General Manager Neil Olshey has made this offseason. Although, after this trade, the Blazers are looking to have a legitimate shot at winning the NBA championship while Damian Lillard. If the Blazers can bring in another defensive wing, this team can be terrifying for an opponent.
Do the Portland Trail Blazers have more in store or are they done?
More to come!
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