The Portland Trail Blazers fell 143-120 on the road to the New Orleans Pelicans. A 23-point loss to a team that remains at the bottom of the Western Conference with a 4-22 record.
Look, I get it. The Blazers were shorthanded. Their mini break didn't do them any favors in this contest. Portland had just 10 players suited up, three of whom have two-way contracts. It was a team of wings, as no player was taller than 6-foot-9.
However, teams inevitably face adversity throughout an 82-game season (which is arguably too long). The Blazers' roster, as currently constructed, is not equipped to handle said adversity.
Trade season can't come soon enough
Part of the reason it was so smart to bring Jerami Grant off the bench this season was that the Blazers lack reliable scoring options. That was on full display in this contest. Kris Murray missed all four of his attempts beyond the arc and remains a sub-30% three-point shooter in Year 3. Duop Reath, despite injuries to three (!) Blazers centers, was still virtually unplayable, recording just 12 minutes.
Having a fourth center was questionable heading into the season, and the fact that Reath still can't crack the rotation when Portland is this undermanned shows the Blazers' front office made a mistake by keeping him around.
As a team, the Blazers shot 29% from beyond the arc, but it unfortunately wasn't even surprising at this point, as they rank dead last in the association.
To make matters worse, Derik Queen looked like a stud on the other end, making Blazers fans continue to question why they unnecessarily reached for Yang Hansen when prospects like Queen and Cedric Coward were available at pick No. 11 had they stood pat.
Even former Blazer Bryce McGowens made them regret giving up on him, finishing with 23 points while making all five three-point attempts.
The Blazers desperately needed to hit on this draft, as questions remain regarding who can be considered a true building block in Rip City. As of now, Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan are the only two long-term starters I feel confident about. Toumani Camara is a borderline starter but appears to be regressing this season, or at least hasn't been able to effectively step up in the increased role that Portland has forced him into. Shaedon Sharpe is one-dimensional, can't shoot, and still has defensive lapses, contributing to Portland's 143 points surrendered.
Of course, it isn't all grim in Portland. Things should eventually look better once Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and others return. But there's a growing frustration surrounding this Blazers team, as it appears they don't have enough to show after four long rebuilding years.
They started the season so well, but they immediately hit a wall that they haven't been able to recover from. The weakened schedule and mini break were hopefully going to help them right the ship, but that clearly hasn't been the case.
The NBA is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league, and Joe Cronin needs to find ways to continue building around Avdija after stealing him from the Washington Wizards. Before the season, Cronin said, "It's winning time" in Portland. Yet here they sit at 9-16.
Their next opportunity comes Sunday against the Golden State Warriors. But honestly, after dropping 11 of their last 14 games, we're already looking forward to the Feb. 5 trade deadline. This roster needs serious upgrades at multiple positions, and it could even be Cronin's last chance to do so.