Fri, Nov 20, 2020 at 4:07pm

KANTER, HEZONJA 3-WAY TRADE

In a three-team trade, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired center Enes Kanter from the Boston Celtics; the Memphis Grizzlies acquired forward Mario Hezonja from the Trail Blazers and guard Desmond Bane from the Celtics, and Boston acquired a protected second-round draft pick in 2023 and a second-round draft pick in 2025 from the Grizzlies.

What does it give the Portland Trail Blazers
In Kanter, the Trail Blazers get a solid backup center who will likely play behind starter Jusuf Nurkic (replacing free agent Hassan Whiteside). All the Blazers had to give up here was Hezonja, but the arrival of small forward Robert Covington (via trade from Houston) should help alleviate Hezonja's departure.

What does it give the Memphis Grizzlies
The Grizzlies are faced with the possibility of starting 2020-21 without forwards Jaren Jackson Jr. and Justice Winslow because of injury. Therefore, it makes sense that they added Hezonja here. Bane was drafted in the first round (30th overall) by Boston, so he too might be part of the Grizzlies' rotation this year.

What does it give the Boston Celtics
The Celtics love to stockpile future draft picks. In fact, Danny Ainge has made a living doing so. This latest move adds two more future second-rounders, while moving one of Ainge's 2020 first-rounders (Bane) in the deal. Kanter's departure should mean more playing time for Robert Williams III and 7'6" center Tacko Fall.

Fantasy impact
Hezonja's stock could improve with Winslow and Jackson Jr. out of the lineup, but that is a short-term proposition. He will lose value once they return from injury. Kanter's stock will drop playing behind Nurkic, while Bane is an unknown quantity at this point. Bane should only be selected in keeper formats, for now.