When the Portland Trail Blazers surprisingly traded for polarizing Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant, many initially criticized the poor roster fit. While that criticism remains valid, Portland's front office under new owner Tom Dundon was willing to overlook the fit as they deemed it good value to buy low on a distressed asset.
Morant is a two-time All-Star who, in theory, is just entering his prime at 26 years old. He's been years removed from looking like that elite-level player due to injury. But if he can benefit from a change of scenery and return to that star form, it's going to be a franchise-defining steal for Portland.
Worst-case scenario, it doesn't pan out, and the Blazers essentially lose nothing but a negative asset in Jerami Grant and an expendable plateaued player in Kris Murray. The definition of a low-risk, high-reward move that they prioritized over fit.
That approach makes sense at this point in their rebuild as the Blazers, realizing they aren't close to the likes of the Oklahoma City Thunder or San Antonio Spurs, continue to play the long game by stockpiling assets.
Jeremy Sochan joins Ja Morant as Portland's latest reclamation projects
To a lesser extent, they just followed a similar blueprint with their recent signing of Jeremy Sochan. The recent NBA champion has now agreed to a one-year deal with the Blazers, according to ESPN's Shams Charania.
It's similar to Morant because Sochan's inability to space the floor is a red flag for a Blazers offense that desperately needed to add more shooting this summer. Additionally, he's years removed from being the same high-level two-way impact player as he was to start his career with the San Antonio Spurs, largely due to said offensive limitations.
Again, Portland is willing to look past these potential red flags, as they view it as an opportunity to add a former top-ten pick who is still developing at just 23 years old. Not to mention, the bonus that comes from having Sochan help get the Blazers their defensive identity back while adding much-needed forward depth.
All this to say, it may not seem this way after looking at Portland's clunky roster as a whole, but the Dundon-led Blazers have been calculated and consistent with their moves this offseason.
Sochan has always been a unique player who needs to be in the right landing spot with a team willing to overlook his flaws and allow him to play to his strengths. It's possible that spot could be Portland, as they are missing a forward whose primary value comes from rebounding and defensive versatility.
If not, as is the case with the Morant experiment, Portland can pull the plug at no harm to their rebuild.
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