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Portland’s Recent Success Will Lead to Trade Opportunities

By Dayton Brown

Jan 29, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Evan Turner (1) is guarded by Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second half at the Moda Center. The Warriors won 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Evan Turner (1) is guarded by Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) during the second half at the Moda Center. The Warriors won 113-111. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Closer Portland is to a Playoff Birth, The Closer They Are to a Trade

The recent success by the Portland Trail Blazers couldn’t have come at a better time. After a disappointing four-game losing streak a week and a half ago, the Blazers have bounced back and won four out of their last five. Their next game is against the lowly Mavericks at home. This could spark another win streak to carry momentum into the All-Star break.

The closer the Blazers get to the playoffs, the closer they are to trading for an important, missing piece. Teams who are at the bottom of the barrel are known to “blow the team up.” This occurs when a team trades away valuable assets due to a non-playoff future. Teams who are entering playoff mode will trade smaller assets and picks for a great player or two to make a potential-title run. The Blazers are too invested in their young players to trade any if they don’t make the playoffs. Most rumors have Portland interested in a great power forward/center.

And yet, that will only happen if Portland looks to make it to the playoffs. It could be only if they make it higher than the eight seed and skip the Warriors. If we are on the upswing, then we will trade for someone like the Aaron Afflalo trade two years ago.

Must Read: Three Trade Ideas for Serge Ibaka

NBA: Sacramento Kings at Philadelphia 76ers
NBA: Sacramento Kings at Philadelphia 76ers /

Should Portland Make any Calls?

On the flip side, the Blazers excellent play has come because the team is finding its ground. Most notably, Evan Turner has stepped into his intended role of 3rd ball handler and mid-range maestro. Allen Crabbe is scoring well again on top of above-average defense. The killer backcourt of Damian Lillard and C.J McCollum is putting on a show night-in and night-out. Mason Plumlee, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Moe Harkless are so playing key roles in winning. So why should Portland move any of these successful pieces?

Breaking this team up might be a move the front office regrets, even if a great starter is dealt to the Blazers. Neil Olshey signed these players and traded for the others these past two seasons for a reason: he believes they can win. He has carefully structured this young & hungry team to make playoffs consistently. It would be foolish to throw it all away in an attempt to win this year.

A player like Meyers Leonard or Pat Connaughton comes to mind since their minutes are much less significant. Leonard has greatly underperformed, and Connaughton still doesn’t play big minutes. He is attempting to find his groove on the court, so a trade to a younger, non-playoff team would provide him that opportunity. Either way, if the Blazers are going to trade, those two are the top of the list.

A lot of “if”s are floating around when discussing the Trail Blazers future. Now I’m adding to the list. There’s mystery as to who will be shipped out for what, IF anything will even happen. This Blazer team should focus on making a strong push through the All-Star break, then deciding on what to do before the trade deadline.

Buckle up. This is going to get fun.

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