Trail Blazers: The Most Daring Move

Trail Blazers to make waves at the deadline by standing pat?

Portland’s roster currently has an average age of 24.6, but somehow they are slotted in as the 7th seed at the all-star break. The young roster is comprised of nine players who found themselves wearing a Trail Blazers jersey for the first time to start the 2015-16 campaign, yet they sit at 27 wins. While other teams panic, Neil Olshey has the luxury of waiting on the perfect move. That perfect move just might be the most daring of all, it might be for Portland to continue their belief in this young core of players.

Portland was on the cusp of deep playoff run last year, which led to the deadline move for Arron Afflalo. This season the expectations are much less, but recent success has left a lot of people (including this guy) wondering if Olshey would make a move to better the chances of this current roster. The best way to do that though could be by keeping the current chemistry intact.

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Yes Gerald Henderson and Chris Kaman are veterans on expiring contracts (the former could really help a playoff team), but they are both serving in important roles for the Trail Blazers (bench spark, mentor). Other than those two players, Portland has nine players under contract for next season and that doesn’t even include the players who are only hitting restricted free agency. Meyers Leonard, Allen Crabbe, and Maurice Harkless will all have at least the chance to be retained by Olshey. This could result in Portland easily returning 12 players from a team that outperformed expectations in 2015-16.

Feb 2, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) drives to the basket on Milwaukee Bucks guard Jerryd Bayless (19) as Portland Trail Blazers center Ed Davis (17) sets a pick during the third quarter of the game at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Blazers won 107-95. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland players campaigned for this very idea in their exit interviews before the break (via OregonLive.com) . The well traveled Ed Davis had this to say:

"“We were projected to be last in the West. Right? We’re seventh, we’re playing well, why would you make a move?” – Davis"

This sentiment shouldn’t come as a shock from a player who has already moved around so much in his early career, but besides his obvious bias, he just might be onto something. Olshey has a clear vision for this team (build around Damian Lillard), so why would he shake that up now? The big names who are “available” now will likely remain available this offseason. Portland has the option of offering a max contract to a coveted player while still retaining everyone from this season (except Henderson, who will likely receive a large offer). It makes little sense to part ways with significant assets at this point.

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Besides a few cap related moves, it would be surprising if the Trail Blazers made a trade at the deadline. The only thing more surprising might be Portland’s willingness to continue on with this overachieving rotation. This has already been an awesome season considering the offseason Rip City went through, but with continued growth this could be the start of something truly special.