The Portland Trail Blazers have been one of the most successful teams in the NBA over the past few years, and a lot of that success can be attributed to the hiring of Adrian Griffin as their head coach in 2019. Griffin has brought a new level of intensity and focus to the team, and his impact has been felt in a number of areas. One of the most notable changes that Griffin has made is the trade of All-Star point guard Damian Lillard to the Denver Nuggets. This move has had a huge impact on the Blazers, and it’s worth taking a look at how it has affected the team in Griffin’s first year as head coach.
First and foremost, the Lillard trade has allowed the Blazers to get younger and more athletic. In return for Lillard, the Blazers received Gary Harris, Will Barton, and a first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. This gave the Blazers a much-needed infusion of youth, as Harris and Barton are both in their mid-20s and have plenty of potential. The addition of these two players has allowed the Blazers to become more dynamic on offense, as they now have two players who can create their own shot and make plays for their teammates.
The Lillard trade also opened up cap space for the Blazers, allowing them to make other moves to improve the team. The Blazers were able to use this newfound cap space to sign veterans such as Rodney Hood and Hassan Whiteside, both of whom have been key contributors for the team this season. The addition of these two veterans has given the Blazers a much-needed boost on both ends of the court.
Finally, the Lillard trade has allowed Griffin to implement his system with more ease. Griffin is known for his defensive-minded approach to coaching, and he has been able to implement this system with more success due to the addition of Harris and Barton. Both players are very good defenders, and their presence has allowed Griffin to be more aggressive on defense without having to worry about leaving Lillard exposed.
Overall, Adrian Griffin’s impact on the Portland Trail Blazers in his first year as head coach has been immense. The Lillard trade has allowed Griffin to get younger and more athletic, open up cap space for other moves, and implement his defensive system with more ease. It’s clear that Griffin has had a huge impact on the Blazers in his first year, and it will be interesting to see how this team continues to develop under his leadership in the future.
