The NBA's Feb.5 trade deadline is just three weeks away. We're finally gaining clarity on the direction teams are expected to take with their rosters as the market becomes more defined. Jonathan Kuminga, Jaren Jackson Jr., and others are officially trade eligible, while teams such as the New Orleans Pelicans are making players like Trey Murphy III or Herb Jones off-limits.
So, where do the Portland Trail Blazers fit into all of this?
In years past, general manager Joe Cronin has historically been quiet at the deadline. Portland was one of just a few teams that sat out last year's fiasco, headlined by the Luka Doncic deal that ultimately led to Mavericks general manager Nico Harrison being fired. While there's no superstar of that caliber in the marketplace this time around, Portland could finally be a buyer, putting itself into the conversation for some of the stars that are available.
Blazers could make a splash as buyers at the deadline
NBA insider Jake Fischer provided the latest trade rumors (subscription required) on The Stein Line, including an in-depth breakdown of roughly 20 teams and their positions leading up to the deadline. While Western Conference juggernauts like the Thunder, Spurs, and Nuggets are already in a prime position and not expected to make a splash, things could be different for two teams looking to secure a playoff spot: Phoenix and Portland.
"Both teams are known to have made a center available for trade: Nick Richards in Phoenix and Robert Williams III in Portland. Curiosity is bubbling, though, about the Suns or Blazers emerging as sneaky buyers at the deadline. Both teams possess various mid-tier contracts that could be aggregated to go after various players on the market. Which has rival executives mentioning these two as teams to monitor," Fischer writes.
The Blazers are currently 9th in the Western Conference with a 19-22 record. They have an active four-year postseason drought, and it's worth noting that Cronin has previously said, "It's winning time" in Portland. While they should be in the play-in race regardless, the Blazers could be just one piece away from realistically ending that drought.
The West isn't as deep as many expected, while Deni Avdija is playing better than expected. The Blazers' young core has become too talented to bottom out, so it only makes sense for them to take their rebuilding timeline in the other direction to escape purgatory.
Who that particular missing piece is becomes a more difficult question to answer. Luckily, we haven't seen Portland's name pop up in any Ja Morant or Anthony Davis rumors, as the last thing this injury-plagued roster needs is an injury-prone star.
Two players who make sense as ideal fits are Trey Murphy III and Jaren Jackson Jr., although it remains to be seen whether either the Pelicans or the Grizzlies would actually part ways with their respective rising stars. In fact, New Orleans has turned teams away that have inquired about Murphy (and several other of their core pieces).
But looking at Portland's past moves -- sending Damian Lillard to Milwaukee, stealing Deni Avdija from the Wizards, reaching for Yang Hansen, making a win-now move for Jrue Holiday, reuniting with Dame, etc. -- this front office tends to operate in silence.
That may be the case in the coming weeks, as the Blazers could shock the NBA with yet another trade nobody would see coming.