Approaching the 2025 NBA trade deadline, the Portland Trail Blazers appeared to be one of the most likely teams to execute meaningful trades. Portland has a deep roster that's flush with promising up-and-coming players, as well as veterans who could've helped contenders improve.
Instead of clearing the path for the younger players to take on a larger role, however, the Trail Blazers held on to their top veterans.
Portland is in remarkable form, winning 10 of its past 11 games at a time when most thought their season was over. Seven different players have averaged at least 11.8 points per game during that time, with Anfernee Simons leading the team at 20.0.
Having won by emphasizing the quality of its depth, it stands to reason that Portland could be in the right to retain its talent.
The bigger picture, however, is that the Trail Blazers are still six games below .500 in a deep Western Conference. They're only 2.5 games back of the Play-In Tournament, but an opportunity existed to build for a much brighter future.
By refusing to trade Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, or Simons, the Trail Blazers have failed to position their rising stars to take the next step forward in 2024-25.
Portland missed golden opportunity to hand Scoot Henderson the keys
It's difficult to blame Portland for keeping the band together in the midst of a truly dominant stretch. Not only are the Trail Blazers 10-1 over the past 11 games, but they've defeated seven teams that would make the playoffs or Play-In Tournament if the season ended today.
With just 2.5 games between Portland and the Play-In Tournament, there's a rational argument in favor of allowing this group to gain potential postseason experience in 2024-25.
The Trail Blazers, however, play home to a cast of rising stars who should be positioned to handle the ball more consistently—namely Scoot Henderson. Henderson is trending upward, averaging 17.0 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.5 three-point field goals made on .503/.471/.816 shooting between Jan. 14 and Feb. 5.
Unfortunately, Portland's most recent game revealed the flaw in their logic, as Henderson attempted just five shots and played under 22 minutes.
That epitomizes the mistake that Portland made at the trade deadline. Rather than empowering their franchise point guard to play through his mistakes as he begins to realize his All-Star potential, the Trail Blazers have Henderson in a committee that can limit his play.
It didn't need to part with all of Ayton, Grant, and Simons, but even one trade could've yielded first-round compensation and created a more defined role for Henderson.
Perhaps this gamble will pay off, with Portland reaching the Play-In Tournament and Henderson getting an early taste of postseason action. As a key player on the hottest team in the NBA, it's certainly an intriguing possibility to consider.
After failing to make a meaningful move at the trade deadline, the Trail Blazers have effectively made the 2024-25 season a postseason-or-bust campaign.