The Portland Trail Blazers have not made the playoffs since 2021, but their rebuild is just starting. They tried to put pieces around Damian Lillard in his final seasons in Rip City, but could not find a winning formula. The Blazers traded the future Hall of Famer to Milwaukee before the season and are all-in on developing their young talent. There are still questions, and the franchise needs time to answer them.
Portland has a strong head start in their retool. They drafted Scoot Henderson third overall in 2023, and fans should not worry about his rookie struggles. The Blazers have Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe as young improving guards. They must put the right pieces around them to develop into a contender.
Do not be surprised to see them active in the trade market this offseason. The Blazers have multiple veterans who could net strong returns. These players shined this season and improved their stock on the trade market.
5. Malcolm Brogdon
Brogdon won Sixth Man of the Year in 2023 and helped the Celtics reach the conference finals, but Boston jumped at the chance to acquire Jrue Holiday days after Milwaukee sent him to the Blazers. It opened the door for Portland to land Brogdon, Robert Williams III, and two first-round picks.
Brogdon only played 39 games and will likely be on the trade block this summer as he enters the final year of his contract. The Blazers are loaded with guard depth and moving Brogdon creates more minutes for their young talent.
Still, Brogdon increased his value by shooting over 41 percent from 3-point range for a second straight year and producing the second-highest per-minute assist average of his career. The veteran turns 32 in December and could still be a valuable role player on a contender.
Can Portland get a protected first-round pick in exchange for Malcolm Brogdon this summer? They may have to settle for a handful of second-rounders, but this season’s play only improved his value. He is not the only Blazer who increased his stock.
4. Dalano Banton
Banton was on the verge of being out of the NBA before being traded to the Blazers midseason. The 2021 second-round pick signed a minimum contract with the Celtics at the start of the year. He averaged just over ten minutes per game during his first two NBA seasons and was not part of the rotation in Boston. The Celtics traded him for cash just before the deadline, but it was just the opportunity the 24-year-old guard needed.
He immediately jumped into the rotation and quickly started playing 30-plus minutes every night. Since March 4, Banton is averaging 18.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.0 steal per game over 20 contests. He is shooting just 41.7 percent from the field but has made 35.0 percent of his threes. It has certainly been a breakout (subscription required).
The 6’9 guard has a 0.3 value over replacement player (VORP) since joining the Blazers. He has earned a place in Portland and gives them some needed size in the backcourt. The Trail Blazers should pick up his $2.2 million team option for next season and could look to sign him to a long-term deal.
Banton’s trade value was strictly cash before arriving in Rip City. Now, some teams would trade draft capital to acquire him. The 24-year-old still has room to grow and looks like an NBA role player.
3. Jabari Walker
Walker has been in the Blazers rotation since opening night, but more playing time opened up down the stretch as the franchise dealt with injuries and began looking to maximize their lottery odds. The 2022 second-round draft pick averaged just 11.1 minutes per game as a rookie but has taken a significant step forward in year two. Walker is playing 23.6 a night for the season and nearly 28 per game over the last 37 contests.
The 6’9 wing is a strong rebounder and could become a key piece of their rotation. Since Jan. 12, Walker is averaging 9.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 27.8 minutes per game. He is shooting 44.1 percent from the field, but just 29.3 percent on his 3-point attempts. Walker must improve his jumper to reach his ceiling, but the 21-year-old has plenty of time.
After year one, teams would have been taking a total flyer on Jabari Walker, but he has shown flashes this season. It has not translated to wins, but rebuilding teams may be eager to get a young talent to help develop. His stock has certainly gone up, and the Blazers would get more than the 57th overall pick they used to select him.
Walker’s trade value is still limited, but the Portland Trail Blazers have two big-ticket items that could go on the market this offseason.
2. Deandre Ayton
It is easy to forget Ayton was the number one overall pick in 2018 ahead of Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaren Jackson Jr., Trae Young, and Jalen Brunson. Those five players have been All-Stars, while Ayton is still searching for his breakout moment. He helped the Suns get to the NBA Finals in 2021 but has been unable to recreate that strong play on both ends of the floor.
The Blazers acquired the seven-footer as part of the Damian Lillard deal. Jrue Holiday and the draft capital stole the headlines, but upgrading from Jusuf Nurkic to Ayton was an important part of the deal for general manager Joe Cronin. His start in Rip City was lackluster, but the 25-year-old has turned it around down the stretch.
Since Jan. 24, Ayton is averaging 21.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.9 blocks in 34.1 minutes per game. He is shooting over 60 percent from the field and 87.5 percent on his free throws over that 26-game sample. His recent play certainly improved his trade value and has scouts across the league taking notice, despite Portland’s struggles.
Deandre Ayton won’t be the best player in his draft class. Luka Doncic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are annual MVP candidates, but the number one pick can be a dominant big man on a contending team. He is displaying that potential and hopes to keep building on it.
1. Anfernee Simons
Simons had a breakout fifth NBA season in 2023 and proved it was no fluke this year. The 24-year-old set new career highs in points, rebounds, assists, and free throw percentage. He shot 38.5 percent from 3-point range on high volume and took over as the Blazers top scorer with Lillard gone.
Portland has several difficult decisions to make in trying to build back into contention. Can they play Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Simons together? If not, they cannot be Portland’s three best players. Simons likely has the most trade value, and fans have heard the rumblings. Trading an elite scoring 24-year-old guard should net the Blazers significant capital and his stock is still rising.
There are some concerns about his health as he has played 70 games just once in his first six NBA seasons. He has missed the last nine games with a knee injury and his season is likely over with 46 games played. The Blazers need him to play more to fully maximize his value.
The Portland Trail Blazers want to get back into contention and could get aggressive this summer. Whether they go further into their rebuild or try to add pieces to help them contend, Joe Cronin should try to maximize his roster. Stay tuned to see how it all plays out.