The Portland Trail Blazers are a mystery team at the trade deadline. At 20-22, and blowing past expectations with interim head coach Tiago Splitter, the Blazers could stand pat... Or try to push their luck by adding some win-now pieces. If they do choose that second option, these are a few of the current Blazers who could be headed elsewhere.
1. Robert Williams III
This is the obvious choice. Portland has had Rob Will on the trade block for a while now, and there does not seem to be a lack of suitors for the athletic big man. Despite consistent injury concerns, Williams III is still a pretty productive big man; blocking shots, running the floor, catching lobs.
In fact, he's been playing well enough recently that I'm not so sure the Blazers need to trade him. It's almost been assumed that a Williams III trade has been more of a "when" than an "if" this season, but if the offers are underwhelming, why not just keep a good player on the roster? If only second-round picks are involved, I see much more value in keeping Rob around for the second half of the season. Forcing players out for made-up assets is silly.
If a first-round pick is ever on the table, though, it's probably Joe Cronin's responsibility to pull the trigger. And with how desperate teams are for frontcourt help right now, that might not be too crazy a proposition.
2. Kris Murray
I know a lot of Blazers fans like Murray's game, but I think this team has reached the point where there are simply too many young wings with "upside" all fighting for minutes, and dealing Murray (who has a team option next season) would clear up some of that clutter.
Portland clearly loved Sidy Cissoko, Rayan Rupert is still just 21, while Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara are both cornerstone pieces. There may be a market for Murray, and if the Blazers don't see him in long-term plans, now might be the best time to let him spread his wings elsewhere.
Murray has developed into a solid defender and a very good rebounder, but has struggled to shoot from deep during his three seasons with the club.
3. Jerami Grant
Another Blazer who has been on the trade block for years, Grant's fate with this team will give fans a clearer view of the direction this team wants to head in the immediate future. If Grant is still on the team in three weeks, that's probably a good sign this team is interested in winning as many games as possible this year and then reassessing the future after the year.
If Grant is not donning a Blazers jersey after February 5th, that's a sign that Cronin, Mike Schmitz, and the rest of upper management are less concerned about a miracle playoff run this year, and more interested in still acquiring more assets, whether that be draft picks or more young players.
Grant's is still under contract next year (and potentially the year after if he picks up his player option) and I'm not sure if that will work in the Blazers' favor or against it. Do teams view Grant's contract as a positive asset at this point?
Which route will the Blazers take at trade deadline?
My gut tells me that anyone hoping for fireworks from the Blazers at the deadline will be a little disappointed. This team is too good to fully tank, so why not try to appear in the play-in and maybe bother a top seed in the West for a few games in the playoffs?
Fans often want rebuilds to go from 0-100 in about three seasons, but that's not realistic. Making the playoffs would be a huge step in the right direction for this team. There's no shame in trying to win!