Moe Harkless to Trail Blazers: Latest Trade Details, Comments, Reaction

Looking to help fill the hole left by Nicolas Batum, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired Moe Harkless from the Orlando Magic for a protected 2020 second-round pick, the Trail Blazers announced.

Yahoo Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the deal.

Harkless averaged 6.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game for the Orlando Magic over the last three seasons. The former first-round pick only played 15 minutes a night for the Magic last year. Erik Gundersen of the Columbian believes the 22-year-old will thrive on a team where he'll likely get more playing time:

Considering the Trail Blazers lost LaMarcus Aldridge and Wesley Matthews to free agency and traded Batum to the Charlotte Hornets, they will have a hard time contending in the Western Conference. Portland might not necessarily purposefully tank, but the franchise is clearly in rebuilding mode.

Taking a flier on a young player like Harkless is a smart gamble that could provide major dividends down the road.

Plus, the Blazers already have some cover at the 3 after signing Al-Farouq Aminu should the Harkless trade prove to be a minor bust.