https://www.google.com/amp/amp.oreg...nd_getting_jusuf.amp?client=ms-android-google The Portland Trail Blazers have made their first splash ahead of the 2017 NBA trade deadline sending Mason Plumlee and a 2018 second round pick to the Denver Nuggets in exchange for center Jusuf Nurkic and a 2017 first round pick. However, Portland might not be done dealing. The Blazers have been linked to Philadelphia big man Jahlil Okafor, according to ESPN's Marc Stein . The Blazers are now armed with three first-round picks in the 2017 draft, which could be packaged together as a part of a deal with the Sixers. * Stein is also reporting that the Blazers are trying to unload Festus Ezeli before the trade deadline. More from Stein: Sources say Portland is determined to move injured center Festus Ezeli before the deadline and is pitching him in particular to teams well below the salary floor that would be willing to take on Ezeli's contract with some level of draft compensation attached. We will update this post with the latest trade rumors and deals involving the Blazers ahead of the Feb. 23 trade deadline.
I know it has already been said, but it bears repeating: it would be STUPID to send out a draft pick just to dump Ezeli's expiring contract. Unless of course it's a Top 55 protected 2nd round pick, but even then it hardly seems worth it.
