Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin has done a great job of establishing a defensive identity in Portland. That may not be apparent in on-court production this season, as Portland ranks just 19th in defensive rating (116.0) and 24th in opponent points per game (118.9). But that has primarily been due to being one of the most injured teams in the league. We saw Cronin's vision come to fruition for a brief stretch at the beginning of the season, when underrated role players like Blake Wesley and Matisse Thybulle were still in the picture.
Joe Cronin has established a defensive identity in Portland
Last year, the Blazers' improved defense catalyzed their end-of-season push to be in the play-in conversation out west. They turned a corner in 2025, finishing the 2024-25 season out with a top-ten ranked defense. In theory, they were going to build off that momentum this season. Not only was their young core developing, but Cronin's strategic offseason moves put them in an even better position. Wesley was essentially signed over the more offensive-minded Dalano Banton, Deandre Ayton was bought out to clear a starting role for defensive anchor Donovan Clingan, and Anfernee Simons was sent to Boston in exchange for Jrue Holiday.
The Blazers' front office has consistently valued length and athleticism, translating to this defensive identity that gives them an advantage to compensate for their relative lack of star power in the star-studded Western Conference. With players (slowly) getting healthier, we'll see an improved defense from the Blazers even if they don't make a splash at the deadline. But if they want to become a truly elite defense, they're still a piece away. And with some expecting the Blazers to be buyers at the deadline, it suddenly makes sense to pursue Memphis Grizzlies' Jaren Jackson Jr. as that missing piece.
Blazers can become an elite defense by trading for Jaren Jackson Jr.
JJJ fits Portland's rebuilding timeline at 26 years old, would bolster their defensive strengths, and help address a significant weakness with his reliable floor spacing on offense.
Just look at his resume: two-time All-Star, Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, two-time blocks leader, and three All-Defensive selections. Of the potentially available options this trade season, it's hard to find someone who would make more of a defensive impact than that.
His shooting would give the Blazers flexibility to play Jackson alongside Donovan Clingan, making it even harder for opponents to score in the paint. Jackson is also more than capable of protecting the paint himself, spelling Clingan for stretches. That positional versatility would be crucial given Portland's frontcourt situation and lack of reliable options outside of Clingan.
With players like Wesley, Jrue Holiday, and Toumani Camara controlling the perimeter with Jackson and Clingan in the frontcourt, it's hard to see how the Blazers would be anything but an elite defensive team.
Cronin leaned into Portland's defensive identity this offseason, but in order to fully achieve his vision, Jackson has to be considered the top option at the deadline.