Reason V: Right Price
To make an NBA Trade happen, the value of what is surrendered must be taken in the context of “relative value”. In short, do both teams walk away with equal chances of improving and at the same level?
The Portland Trailblazers are currently looking for front court help. While Mason Plumlee runs a very physical post game, he is very much the extent of the Trailblazers post game. If he should fall to injury the team would be in chaos.
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The Trailblazers have been linked to the Philadelphia 76ers center logjam, with rumored interest in Nerlens Noel. That rumor did not gain traction as the 76ers center contract expires, and there are no assurances that he would sign on with the Trailblazers for an affordable price.
But the Trailblazers have not been linked to Jahlil Okafor, and that could be the catalyst which could afford some traction for the two teams to negotiate:
Jahlil Okafor, like Mason Plumlee, is a graduate from the Duke Blue Devils. He also plays a very physical type of ball, hammering with his body in the paint, back to the basket. Where Jahlil Okafor does not seem to mesh with the Philadelphia 76ers scheme, he should fit in perfectly at Portland.