THE HEADLINE: The Trail Blazers execute a sign-and-trade with the Boston Celtics, shipping out Anfernee Simons and the #3 pick in the 2023 draft for Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard.

This trade scenario has been picking up steam lately in the media. Kevin O'Connor of the Ringer, among others, sees this move as imperative for Boston with the new CBA on the horizon. In a recent article, O'Connor wrote: > After a postseason exit like this, it’s hard to argue that he’s worth the gargantuan five-year, $295 million supermax he’s eligible to sign this summer. A roster led by Tatum and Brown, who combined would eventually be making more than $100 million annually, would make it difficult for the Celtics to build a proper supporting cast considering the NBA’s new luxury tax rules.

Simons is an excellent up-and-coming player on a bargain contract who has the ability both to play alongside a star (as he has done with Damian Lillard) and to be the primary weapon on offense (which he has done when Lillard has been sidelined with injuries). The Celtics also receive the #3 pick in the upcoming draft and a chance to draft either Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller, depending on what Charlotte does at #2. The Celtics can also choose to flip that pick into other assets.

For Portland, they finally get another All-NBA caliber player to star alongside Damian Lillard. This is the "all-in" move that will allow the Trail Blazers to contend for a championship with Lillard. Brown will benefit greatly from all the gravity that Lillard creates, and Lillard has the opportunity to play off of the ball more. Portland will give Brown not a supermax contract, but a handsome one nonetheless to ensure that he is a Trail Blazer for several years. And don't sleep on the acquisition of Pritchard either, it's not just a move to make the financials of this deal work. Pritchard is a talented guard who has been languishing on the end of the Boston bench for too long. He can come home to Oregon, where he grew up and played college ball, and come off the bench when Lillard sits.

SOLVING THE CENTER SITUATION:

It's time for Portland to move on from Jusuf Nurkic. Nurkic is an above-average center to be sure, but he's a bit of a traffic cone on defense. He lacks the skills to contend with the plethora of elite big men in the Western Conference: Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, and Victor Wembanyama just to name a few. His offensive game, though underrated, is not good enough to make up for this flaw.

So what's the solution? Signing Brook Lopez, the runner-up to Defensive Player of the Year. The Milwaukee Bucks are in a similar situation to the Celtics: the new CBA will make it very difficult for them to retain Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, and Brook Lopez. Lopez, a transcendent rim-defender who has revolutionized his offensive game to extend his career, is the oldest of the bunch at 35. If the Bucks want to continue to contend, letting Lopez walk so they can round out the rest of their roster makes sense. The Trail Blazers, who employed his brother Robin from 2013-2015, would be overjoyed to improve their dreadful defense by signing Lopez.

Portland can ship Nurkic to San Antonio, a team with cap space galore. The Spurs want to protect Victor Wembanyama, the future of their franchise, with a big tough center to round out their frontcourt. Nurkic, 7 feet tall and nearly 300 lbs, fits the bill. In exchange, the Trail Blazers welcome back Zach Collins, who they drafted 10th overall in 2017. Collins is a serviceable center to come off of the bench and give the veteran Lopez some rest.

--- If Portland resigns the rest of their roster, including the highlight of last summer's free agency Jerami Grant, is this enough for them to be in the mix in the West? Here's what their depth chart could look like:

PG: Damian Lillard | Payton Pritchard

SG: Shaedon Sharpe | Matisse Thybulle

SF: Jaylen Brown | Nassir Little

PF: Jerami Grant | Trendon Watford

C: Brook Lopez | Zach Collins