Portland Trail Blazers: 3 Trades that would drastically change the team
To reach the playoffs, the Portland Trail Blazers need something to shake them out of their funk. A big trade could be the answer.
In my opinion, Portland will make at least 1 deadline move. I can’t see them risking losing Josh Hart for nothing, so they will move him for at least a 1st round pick and a salary filler player in return.
After that, they will try and swing that pick for size and length. If they strike out on the obvious choices, then they will hold onto the pick or try and flip it to Chicago to get its own pick back in return.
The Blazers will also address their backup center, likely a smaller trade involving an out-of-rotation player and or 2nd round picks. Either that or they try to create some wiggle room to bring in a big man on a minimum contract.
After the trade deadline, the team will push for Nassir Little to replace Hart as the starting small forward. A healthy Justise Winslow would likely be the better fit, but starter minutes might propel Little’s offseason trade value, which means these kinds of small moves will be needed if GM Joe Cronin strikes out on a small forward.
In conclusion
Though I don’t expect anything big, the potential is still there. That will keep me glued to all the major media sites as the trade deadline ticks down. Several questions will get answered that day; whether Rip City likes the answer or not is for another day.
What do you think the Portland Trail Blazers will do at the trade deadline?