The Portland Trail Blazers are coming off of a crushing defeat in the NBA bubble playoffs as they embark on the offseason. Portland could justifiably keep its entire core intact led by Damian Lillard next year, or the Blazers could make a splash if they feel the need to shake things up. Could Detroit Pistons star Blake Griffin be an option via trade?

The Trail Blazers figure to be in contention again next season, led by Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. It will require some creativity to take the next step in a loaded Western Conference that will only get stronger.

The Pistons are a few years away from contention, at best, and Blake Griffin doesn’t appear to fit their longterm plans. Detroit could feasibly hold on to Griffin as the face of their franchise for perhaps one more year.

But from a practical standpoint, Griffin won’t be the same player in a few years when Detroit is ready to try to contend.

Let’s take a look at a series of hypothetical trades that could send Blake Griffin to the Portland Trail Blazers, on a team where he can contend.