The Portland Trail Blazers are flying under the radar as we approach the February 6 trade deadline. For how many veterans on their roster they should consider trading, the Blazers have been relatively quiet in terms of trade rumors.
Part of the challenge lies in finding partners willing to trade for Portland's most obvious trade pieces, Jerami Grant and Deandre Ayton. These two are the highest-paid players on the roster, which is one of several reasons why the Blazers need to move them, but also complicates finding a deal (particularly for Ayton).
There's also uncertainty surrounding how highly teams value Anfernee Simons. He's an excellent player, but are teams willing to trade significant assets for him, knowing they'll likely have to overpay him relative to his impact on winning after next season?
Trail Blazers listed as a 'wild card' team at the deadline
ESPN's Bobby Marks had a detailed article where he tiered teams based on their trade deadline role (subscription required), providing hypothetical trades that work for each team depending on their needs.
The Blazers were rightfully listed as a "wild card" team. The Blazers' conundrum over the direction they want to take with their roster and the uncertainty surrounding who will be traded makes them an unpredictable team to keep an eye on at the deadline.
While we don't know who will be traded, this season has brought more clarity surrounding who shouldn't be traded, as a young core is starting to emerge in Portland.
One of the key foundational pieces is Toumani Camara, who is having a productive season that goes far beyond his averages of 10.0 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 steals.
Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report had a great piece about how impactful Portland's wings -- Camara and Deni Avdija -- have been, emphasizing how the Blazers have found a foundation (subscription required) with those two players.
"Whatever the next era of the franchise looks like, Avdija and Camara will be a part of it," wrote Highkin.
That sounds like two players that are here to stay for the long haul.
Toumani Camara heads to Boston in puzzling trade proposal
However, Marks has the rich getting richer in a proposal that sends Camara to the defending champion Boston Celtics.
Here is what the deal looks like:
"In any potential Springer trade, the Celtics should be thinking about how they can add a wing who guards multiple positions while also saving money. Camara is averaging 9.6 points and ranks in the 85th percentile in steals among wings, per Cleaning the Glass. The Celtics are projected to spend close to $500 million next season and Camara gives them an inexpensive option," writes Marks.
Camara has been a consistent bright spot in an up-and-down season for Portland. He's already emerged as a reliable 3-and-D wing and only continues to improve in other aspects of his game. It would take much more than this offer for the Blazers even to consider trading their hidden gem.
Typically, we'd grade the trade proposal. But fans who have watched Camara's time in Portland know why the Blazers would never agree to this deal.