Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin said before the start of the 2025-26 season that "it's winning time" in Portland. While early-season injuries have hindered that plan to some extent, Cronin's expectations for this Blazers roster were still accurate.
He even said the playoffs were "a reasonable expectation" following a 36-win season. At the time, it seemed overly ambitious, but now the Blazers could really be just one piece away from making it a reality.
Given Cronin's comments before the season and the way Portland has looked as of late, it shouldn't come as a surprise that they are rumored to be potential buyers (subscription required) at the Feb. 5 trade deadline, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer on The Stein Line.
"League sources have painted the Blazers as potential buyers during this Trade Season, with Portland said to be looking to be opportunistic before the onrushing deadline to help its playoff push," Fischer reports.
Blazers expected to buy at the deadline to make a playoff push
That's a refreshing change, as Blazers fans have endured four long rebuilding seasons. Portland's patient approach is finally paying off as its young core has primarily contributed to this playoff push. That's why it makes perfect sense for them to buy at the deadline.
Despite the headliner prospects of what projects to be a strong 2026 draft class, the Blazers' young core has already proven they're too talented to bottom out. They have a legitimate All-Star in Deni Avdija, while others like Donovan Clingan and Shaedon Sharpe have taken tremendous strides this season in increased roles. They might as well take their rebuild in the other direction, as the last place a team wants to be is in no man's land.
The downside of this approach is that the Blazers still owe the Chicago Bulls a lottery-protected first-round pick due to the Larry Nance Jr. deal. But if Portland manages to make the playoffs in a stacked Western Conference, it's going to be hard to complain if they aren't on the clock this summer.
It still remains to be seen to what extent the Blazers are expected to be buyers. They've expressed interest in Pelicans rising star Trey Murphy III, but that doesn't appear to be a realistic option, given that New Orleans has made the majority of its young core off-limits.
It also depends on how Giannis Antetokounmpo's situation plays out in Milwaukee in the coming weeks. Fischer adds that the Blazers front office has discussed ways they could capitalize on a Giannis deal by helping facilitate him to a landing spot like the New York Knicks, given that they have key leverage in the form of future draft capital from the Damian Lillard deal. Mikal Bridges was mentioned as a potential trade target that Portland has "long admired."
Then again, being a buyer doesn't necessarily mean making a Murphy or Bridges-sized splash. Portland's clearly happy with the way their roster has been performing as of late and shouldn't feel the need to force a deal. They could easily add a role player to address their shooting concerns and still be right in the playoff mix.
In some ways, it's not up to them. They know they want to be buyers, but which teams ultimately make available by Feb. 5 could determine the extent to which they buy. Either way, it's an exciting rumor as it suggests the Blazers finally believe they are ready to start competing out west.