The Portland Trail Blazers are not advancing in the Western Conference standing as they are currently a step short from the top eight. With only one loss difference from the Los Angeles Lakers though, the Trail Blazers are reportedly fixing their trading pieces as they are looking to sign another NBA star to improve their performance inside the court.
Trail Blazers In Pursuit Of A Defensive Player
The Trail Blazers have a lot of strategy issues that they have been trying to address since the 2016-2017 season started. Coach Terry Stotts experimented on a team-up between Ed Davis and Mason Plumlee in a previous game with the New Orleans Pelicans. With the two moving together, it was seen how the rebounding status of the team improved and has placed them side by side since. However, the Trail Blazers need more than just a rebounding level up if they want to climb up to the finals.
The defense strategy of the Trail Blazers was tagged as the "worst" in the league and it was proven when they had a game with the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 23. The Cavs' star Kevin Love easily slammed the defensive play of the Trail Blazers when he scored a flashing 34 points during the first quarter.
"It's frustrating because we expected - I'm sure we all did - to pick up where we left off," Moe Harkless said after the Cavaliers scored 12 points over the Trail Blazers.
The team's defensive system is something that Stotts is looking to fix -- and who can better teach the Blazers about defense other than the three-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team player, Jimmy Butler?
NBA trade rumors suggest that the Trail Blazers would pick up Butler as he is known for his styles in a defensive play. Theories have it that the trade deal will involve C.J. McCollum and Al-Farouq Aminu in order for Portland to pull out Butler from the Bulls. However, there is a problem with McCollum becoming a trading piece as it will be a risk for the Trail Blazers to let go of last season's Most Improved Player.
Bulls And Trail Blazers Trade Deal Not Likely?
The trade deal seems far-fetched for the Bulls and the Trail Blazers though, but it can also work for both if ever they pushed to make the suggestion work. Butler is one of the best players the Bulls currently have. He is completing the game of Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo. With Butler possibly fleeing the team, the way to the finals might just become hazy for the Bulls.
Likewise, the Blazers seem reluctant to send off McCollum who proved last season that he can be the team's star. McCollum's tandem with the franchise's star, Damian Lillard, had been beneficial for the team that even earned them the 8 wins they made. The 25-year-old shooting guard backing up Lillard is theorized by many analysts to inch the Trail Blazers to an NBA Finals which the franchise has not experienced since the 1991-92 season.
This trade scenario will mostly benefit the Blazers, however. As for how McCollum can contribute to the Bulls is not yet predicted since the franchise is already doing well. It is also said that if ever the Bulls decide to take someone else in, they would rather opt for bigger stars who are more worthy of a sacrifice.
