As the Portland Trail Blazers navigate the February 6 trade deadline, they need to decide who is strictly off-limits in trade talks. That should be relatively straightforward for Portland as a young core is starting to emerge, and all the pieces fit together from a positional standpoint.
The Blazers acquired all five of these players in the past three seasons, with the oldest one being just 24 years old. They may not have the clear-cut superstar yet, but the future is still bright in Rip City as long as this group stays intact.
1. Scoot Henderson
Scoot Henderson is the biggest enigma on the Blazers' roster as we continue to sort out the level of player he actually is. His past two games against the Hornets and Thunder, where he recorded two points followed by 25 points, goes to show the rollercoaster Blazers fans have been on the past two seasons.
The good news, however, is that in what has been another up-and-down season for Henderson, there have been a lot more ups than downs as of late. Henderson has taken his play to another level in 2025, averaging 14.3 points and 5.1 assists in January. The most encouraging stat is his 42.4 three-point percentage this month.
Part of the negativity surrounding Henderson's rocky transition into the league was that it was apparent he wasn't an elite Derrick Rose or Ja Morant-type athlete to which he was being compared. But if Henderson can compensate for that with reliable three-point shooting and improved decision-making, then the Blazers may still have an All-Star on their hands.
He's untouchable in the sense that the Blazers should want to at least see this one through.
2. Shaedon Sharpe
Despite his three-point shooting woes (31.0 percent this season), Shaedon Sharpe still has a legitimate case for being the Blazers' player most likely to become an All-Star.
All the offensive tools are already there -- the ballhandling, underrated playmaking, ability to create separation, reliable midrange shot, etc. His athleticism suggests that he can also grow to be more impactful on the defensive end.
Sharpe is eligible for a rookie-scale extension at the end of the year. That's a significant decision for Portland to make, but it also seems clear-cut that they need to retain him, even if that means agreeing to what will likely be a hefty price tag. He's a recent No. 7 overall pick and already the second-highest scorer on the team at just 21 years old.
3. Toumani Camara
The best player to come out of the Deandre Ayton-Jusuf Nurkic swap is... Toumani Camara by far?! Camara is currently leading the league in drawn charges at 19, showcasing the type of player the Blazers have on their hands.
He's already emerged as a viable 3-and-D wing, shooting 35.3 percent from deep. That's something that the Blazers have consistently lacked throughout their Damian Lillard-CJ McCollum era, so it's a refreshing change for Portland.
But Camara also has the potential to become much more than just a 3-and-D wing, as he has flashes of his ability to create off the dribble. If that area of his game continues to grow, Camara could be one of the most valuable pieces on the roster.
He's the type of player that wins playoff games, and the Blazers need to do everything they can to keep him around long-term.
4. Deni Avdija
Turbo's play only improves as he becomes more comfortable and familiar with his role on his new team. He's coming off his best game of the season against Oklahoma City, recording 28 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, highlighting his well-rounded game.
The Blazers' front office hasn't been perfect, but you must give GM Joe Cronin credit for making the aggressive move to go out and get Avdija. His versatility, aggressiveness, defense, and shooting were precisely what this team was missing.
At just 24 years old on a team-friendly frontloaded contract, it's easy to see why Portland shouldn't want to part ways with someone they just spent two first-round picks to land in the offseason.
5. Donovan Clingan
Due to injuries and the Blazers' crowded center position, Donovan Clingan has had limited opportunities in his rookie season, averaging just 16.8 minutes in 33 games. But he's already proven to be as advertised in terms of his elite rebounding and rim protection.
His per 36 stats are 14.3 rebounds (sixth in the league) and 3.5 blocks (second in the league, just behind Victor Wembanyama). After years of having an offensive-minded center in Nurkic, Portland finally has a top-five rim protector.
Offensively, his game is still unpolished, as he relies heavily on playmakers to set him up. But he's an underrated passer and great screen setter, which makes him a more natural fit alongside the Blazers' young backcourt. He's also shooting 27.3 percent from beyond the arc, suggesting there's legitimate potential to become a Brook Lopez or Myles Turner-type player.
He's not in the conversation for Rookie of the Year, but the Blazers still selected one of the best players in the draft class.