Trail Blazers acquire Arron Afflalo from Nuggets in 5-player deal

Thursday's NBA trade deadline's first trade stands to improve a Western Conference contender appreciably.

The Denver Nuggets traded Arron Afflalo and Alonzo Gee to the Portland Trail Blazers for Thomas Robinson, Will Barton, Victor Claver and a future lottery-protected first-round pick, the Blazers have announced.

The deal was first reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.

The first-round pick is said to be a 2016 pick that is lottery-protected for two seasons, after which it would become two future second-round picks. It was originally reported that Portland had sent a second-round pick as well but that's not the case, according to the team's release.

Afflalo represents a solid pick-up for the Blazers, who need the additional depth on the wing and don't give up a player in the top-11 on their team in minutes. In short, they've traded on potential to add a quality rotation piece ahead of the playoffs, shoring up a bench spot that was previously filled by C.J. McCollum, an intriguing and improving but as-yet unreliable player for a playoff rotation.

The 29-year-old Afflalo is averaging 14.5 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists while hitting on 33.7 percent of his threes. In the three seasons prior to this year, his numbers were stronger, with Afflalo averaging 16.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and three assists with a 37.8 percent mark from long range.

Another reason Afflalo makes sense for Portland is that he owns a $5-million player option for next season, one the Blazers are likely hoping he picks up. With Portland likely to spend their ample cap space on re-signing their own players, adding Afflalo now could land them a 2015-16 piece despite not having the non-taxpayer mid-level exception.

The Blazers also pick up Gee, who may be more familiar with getting traded than anyone in the league. The 27-year-old is a decent depth piece on the wing and has shown an improved 3-point stroke in a small sample but doesn't figure to move the needle much for Portland.

Portland also opens up a roster spot with the trade, something they can now use to try to add another veteran piece for depth.

In return, the Nuggets get what they were looking for with a first- and a second-round pick while getting a flier on a few young players in the process.

Robinson was the No. 5 pick in 2012 and has bounced around the league, serving more as currency than actual contributor. In three stops, he's yet to get a legitimate chance to carve out a full-time role, and while his production has disappointed and he's an unrestricted free agent following the season, Denver may appreciate the two-month window into his potential.

Barton and Claver will both be restricted free agents following the season. The 24-year-old Barton is an exciting wing player but has struggled to carve out a role in Terry Stotts' rotation, averaging 3.8 points in 11 minutes over three seasons. Claver, a 26-year-old import from Spain, has only played 76 minutes on the season and has done little to prove himself an NBA piece over three seasons.

The trade will likely be structured such that Denver will also walk away with a $7.5-million traded player exception, a useful chip in the rebuilding process.