Trail Blazers GM Joe Cronin has gone about Portland's rebuild in a somewhat unconventional way. Typically, rebuilding teams will heavily prioritize draft capital in trades along with a few salary fillers to make the deal work financially. Cronin has leaned towards accepting deals that also include valuable players.
The most recent examples include trading for Deni Avdija, Robert Williams III, Toumani Camara, and Deandre Ayton—all of whom were linked to the Damian Lillard trade, either directly or through subsequent moves.
It's unlikely that they will trade away any more first-round picks like they did when they acquired Avdija. But history suggests that there's a possibility the Blazers will take that route of landing a key contributor again at the trade deadline.
1. Jordan Hawkins, New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are one of the most surprising teams this season, sitting at 5-22 due to several unfortunate injuries. Because of their record and Brandon Ingram's expiring contract, they are a team to watch at the deadline.
Despite being on the brink of retooling their roster, one player who remains available is 22-year-old Jordan Hawkins. On Dec. 15, Marc Stein and Jake Fischer reported on The Stein Line that the only untouchable Pelicans are Herb Jones, Yves Missi, and Trey Murphy III.
"While naturally resistant to trade inquiries for their younger gems — Herb Jones, rookie Yves Missi and Trey Murphy III — word is that the Pelicans are essentially open to trade pitches for pretty much anyone else on the roster apart from those three amid a 5-21 start and more injury woe than even Philadelphia," wrote Stein and Fischer.
One of Portland's most desperate areas of need is shooting. Early in his career, Hawkins is shooting 36.0 percent from three, which should only continue to improve given his age, eye test, and the fact that he's shooting 90.3 percent from the charity stripe this season. That high level of shooter would also open things up for Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe to develop further.
2. Lonzo Ball, Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls need to reshape their roster, arguably even more so than the Pelicans. On Nov. 29, Fischer covered the Bulls' situation in-depth on the Stein Line, mentioning that Chicago is open to moving Lonzo Ball, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vučević. But for Portland, Ball is the only one that makes sense to inquire about.
He's on a $21.4 million expiring contract, which has an element of risk baked into any potential deal since he could potentially walk in free agency. Still, he's the exact type of point guard the Blazers need as someone who is pass-first but can also contribute as a 3-and-D player.
In the best-case scenario, Henderson reaches his high ceiling, and Ball comes off the bench as a valuable role player. On the other hand, Ball would be an excellent insurance policy if Henderson doesn't pan out.
Ball isn't having a great season as he continues returning to pre-injury form. He's averaging just 5.7 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.2 rebounds on 35/33/100 shooting splits. But that's also an opportunity for the Blazers to buy low on a former No. 2 overall pick.
3. Kevin Huerter, Sacramento Kings
The case for the Blazers trading for Huerter is similar to Hawkins. Although Huerter is older at 26, he still fits in with Portland's timeline. He has good positional size as a 6-foot-7 guard and would help strengthen the identity of their roster while also addressing their three-point shooting weakness as a career 37.8 percent three-point shooter.
The Sacramento Kings accelerated their timeline with the blockbuster offseason addition of 35-year-old DeMar DeRozan but remain a borderline playoff team in the loaded Western Conference with a 13-14 record.
They make sense as a trade partner for Portland, with the teams heading in opposite directions as the deadline approaches—Portland as sellers and Sacramento as buyers—especially since the Blazers have veterans they should look to move.
4. Rui Hachimura, Los Angeles Lakers
Rui Hachimura played a massive part in the Lakers defeating the Blazers on Dec. 8, stepping up in LeBron James' absence with a season-high 23 points. That was an example of how he can be utilized in a more prominent role, which he would have in Portland.
He's 26 and a versatile 6-foot-8 forward who can generate his own offense as well as space the floor as an underrated shooter, making 44.3 percent of his threes this season. The primary asset LA has that the Blazers would be interested in is their draft picks. But if they attach a notable player to the deal, it should be Hachimura, not one of their guards.