The Portland Trail Blazers traded longtime star Damian Lillard and got quite a hefty package of players and picks back in return.
Portland also moved on from Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson. But in return, they received former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton as their new big man of the future. In addition, they now have new role players such as Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers have added three future first-round draft picks and two future pick swaps as part of the series of transactions.
The moves give an opportunity for 19-year-old guard Scoot Henderson to control the offense. Meanwhile, they also have increased opportunities for Shaedon Sharpe (20 years old) and Anfernee Simons (24 years old) as well.
Williams is expected to stay on the roster, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Brogdon, meanwhile, could potentially get traded but also has a chance to stay in Portland as a veteran leader.
Another player who may crack the starting five for the Trail Blazers is Matisse Thybulle. Both he and Williams are strong defenders who could potentially provide either depth off the bench or in the first unit.
Despite a surprisingly large contract offered to Jerami Grant during the offseason, Portland has an otherwise exciting young roster to build around for the future.