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Portland Trail Blazers: Four little-known trades that would have altered franchise history

By Marlow Ferguson Jr.

PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 27: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics drives againstof the Portland Trail Blazers on January 27, 2011 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - JANUARY 27: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics drives againstof the Portland Trail Blazers on January 27, 2011 at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers
Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs (Photo by Chris Covatta/Getty Images) /

The Portland Trail Blazers have made a rocky history when it comes to almost acquiring star talent. Here’s a look at four almost-trades that would have changed franchise history.

Even in considering the 43-year championship drought, the Portland Trail Blazers have been one of the most successful teams in basketball’s history. They’ve been a Playoff fixture in nearly three-fourths of their existence, and have been a home to some of NBA history’s most electrifying players.

Even so, regardless of how you slice it, they’re likely always to be synonymous with one two-word phrase: what if?

We’ve grown accustomed to hearing about some of the high-profile stars the Trail Blazers naturally found a way to miss out on — think Michael Jordan and Kevin Durant. Or, even some of the middle-shelf examples, such as Larry Bird, or Charles Barkley, as we’ve discussed previously.

But, in today’s article, we’ll look at some of the lesser-known examples of trades that could have changed the franchise’s fortune for years to come. Here’s what we’ve got.