Nene Hilario Might Make a Good Trail Blazer

This morning we conclude a trio of articles on potential off-season acquisitions for the Portland Trail Blazers, Chris Lucia started the proceedings by suggesting the Blazers pick up Jameer Nelson. Brandon Goldner followed up with some rumors about the New York Knicks trading Jose Calderon. Now it falls to me to present what I consider the granddaddy of them all. This proposed deal didn't originate with me, but with our good friends at BulletsForever, who for my money have the finest name in all NBA blogdom.

This could not be a draft day deal because it assumes Arron Afflalo will not opt out of the last year of his contract. In the event that happens, BulletsForever would like to propose this trade:

Washington Wizards Get: Arron Afflalo, Chris Kaman

Portland Trail Blazers Get: Nene Hilario, Pick #19 in the 2015 NBA Draft

Nene is scheduled to make $13 million on the final year of his contract in 2015-16. That's almost the exact amount Afflalo and Kaman make combined.

The 29-year-old Afflalo averaged 13.3 points on 42.4% shooting, 35.4% from the arc in 32,1 minutes per game for the Trail Blazers and Denver Nuggest last season. Kaman, 33 years old, averaged 8.6 points and 6.5 rebounds on 51.5% shooting in 18.9 minutes per game for the Blazers.

Nene averaged 11 points and 5.1 rebounds on 51.1% shooting for the Wizards at 32 years of age.

Though he's not the player he once was, Nene still has gas left in the tank and could play both power forward and center positions for the Blazers. His inside-first offensive attack might hamper him at forward, but he retains enough mobility at the other end to put a new wrinkle in Portland's center defense,

Nene would be filling Kaman's role as a reserve center. Afflalo's departure makes way for CJ McCollum at reserve shooting guard. The Blazers might not employ either Kaman or Afflalo after the coming season as it is.

The 19th pick replaces the one Portland traded away to get Afflalo. It could be used, packaged with other assets in a deal for a veteran, or combined with Pick #23 in a trade to move up in the draft (assuming again that Afflalo stays with his current contract).

I'm not sure that this is the right deal, but I'm not sure it's the wrong one either. I've liked Nene for a while and the 19th pick could be a nice sweetener depending on who's available at that spot. I could see the Blazers restocking their backcourt or going for a couple of nice wings at 19 and 23.

What say you? Would you consider this trade? Also check out BulletsForever as they post their version. Would Washington fans go for it too? Stay tuned.