Grade the Trade: Mavericks land star guard in Damian Lillard mock blockbuster

Grading the trade for the Portland Trailblazers

With this trade going through, the Scoot Henderson era officially starts in Portland. He has the keys to the franchise, and he takes over as the star point guard for the Blazers.

In this mock trade with the Heat and Mavs, Portland lands Jaime Jaquez Jr., Tim Hardaway Jr., Christian Wood, Duncan Robinson, and considerable draft compensation. All four of the players received in the deal are players that can contribute on day one, and this, combined with the draft picks, should entice the Blazers' interest.

The Mavericks were already trying to get rid of Hardaway Jr., and he would thrive in a bench role in Portland.

Although all four players would be good rotation pieces, two of the four (Hardaway Jr. and Robinson) are on big contracts. The Blazers would likely prefer some younger players on team-friendly contracts in this deal, but Miami could potentially throw in more draft compensation.

This trade limits the Blazers' flexibility in future free agency pursuits, but they land players that can help them win right now. Portland could potentially be a borderline Play-In team after this move, as they have great depth that stretches beyond the starting lineup.

Potential starting lineup: Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, Matisse Thybulle, Jerami Grant, Jusuf Nurkic

The Blazers get a B- for this trade, as they land multiple players that will be a part of the rotation right away and draft compensation, but taking on Robinson and Hardaway Jr.'s contract is not ideal (even though they have to take on big money to trade Lillard).

Miami could offer Kyle Lowry to give Portland an expiring contract, but Hardaway Jr. and Robinson would be better fits in Portland.