The Portland Trail Blazers are in need of a point guard who can hold the position down for years to come. Scoot Henderson might argue otherwise, but 35-year-old veterans Jrue Holiday and the injured Damian Lillard currently represent the closest thing to stability in the backcourt.
After an ESPN article suggested the Trail Blazers should get in on the Trae Young sweepstakes to resolve the issue, the four-time All-Star has seemingly saved the franchise from a disastrous decision.
Young is a polarizing figure who has arguably reached the point of being underrated by those who dislike his preferred style of play. He's one of the most productive players of his generation, as well as a No. 1 option who has led their team to the Conference Finals.
Just when it seemed as though Portland was being floated out as an option for Young, however, he identified a different preferred destination: The Washington Wizards.
"Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young has the Washington Wizards as his preferred destination as the player and his current team work together on a possible trade, sources tell ESPN."
The Trail Blazers could still help facilitate a trade if need be, but they'd be wise to avoid acquiring the polarizing point guard due to his poor structural fit.
Trae Young identifies ideal next team—and it's not the Trail Blazers
Young is a tremendous talent, but history suggests he needs the ball in his hands in a high-usage role to be effective. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but Portland has found an ideal formula with rising star Deni Avdija running the offense from the wings.
Holiday has provided insight into what the Trail Blazers need alongside Avdija as a defensive-minded lead guard who can play both with and without the ball on offense.
While Young is capable of excellence, his defensive inconsistency and demanding offensive role make him a tough sell for Portland. There's clearly a void to fill on offense, but the Trail Blazers can't jump at the first big name they see.
Instead, the front office must weigh its options more carefully and only trade for a point guard if they fit the strengths and weaknesses of the players in place.
It may not be a strategy that yields immediate returns on a championship level, but Portland isn't a single player away from contending. Instead, it's a generally young team that should empower its up-and-coming core to realize its potential by providing it with consistent touches and responsibility.
Young can make a team better in the right situation, but the Trail Blazers were saved from the damage of a bad fit if his interest truly lies elsewhere.