The Portland Trail Blazers front office has been relatively quiet at the trade deadline in years past. There's reason to believe things could be different this time around.
Many have labeled the Blazers as potential buyers at the deadline, as they could be just a piece away from making a legitimate playoff push. But at the same time, general manager Joe Cronin has consistently emphasized a long-term approach. Portland isn't going to make a myopic move that results in an early playoff exit and limits their rebuilding ceiling in the process.
One way or another, they eventually need to find another star to elevate them to true contention status. But they first need money to find that level of player. That's why they need to trade one of Jerami Grant or Jrue Holiday to create a more flexible cap sheet.
Blazers should trade one of Jerami Grant or Jrue Holiday at the deadline
Both veterans have boosted their trade value thanks to resurgent seasons, giving Portland a perfect window to trade one of them to a team looking to make a win-now move -- whether that's sending Grant to Milwaukee, Holiday to New York, or finding a less rumored landing spot -- by Feb. 5.
Holiday has a $37.2 million player option in 2027-28, while Grant's is worth $36.4 the same season. Simply put, the Blazers are going nowhere in the scheme of things if these are their two most expensive players. They need to find more star power to compete with the juggernauts in the Western Conference.
Portland doesn't necessarily need to find that co-star for Deni Avdija in the coming weeks. Unless Memphis is willing to part ways with Jaren Jackson Jr. or New Orleans suddenly changes its firm stance on Trey Murphy III being untouchable, there aren't many ideal fits out there. If that remains the case, the best approach Portland can take is to position itself to capitalize on an opportunity when that right star does come around. Creating more cap flexibility by trading Grant or Holiday will achieve that.
With both players seemingly having some sort of market at the deadline, keeping them past the deadline could present an unnecessary risk. Grant could revert to his 2024-25 self. Holiday is 35 years old with a somewhat concerning injury history. Portland isn't looking to truly contend, so it doesn't make sense to keep both of these players around.
The Blazers want to make the postseason, and fans are eager to see their team end a four-year playoff drought. But to accomplish that with aging, expensive veterans essentially defeats the purpose. It's in Portland's best interest to continue prioritizing its youth and making the postseason, because its young core proves it's ready to make that jump.
Having Holiday and Grant lead the charge is the kind of brute-force solution that gets teams into purgatory.