Portland Trail Blazers: The elephant in the room when talking trades.
The Portland Trail Blazers have decisions to make coming up to the NBA's February 9 trade deadline. Evaluating the roster ahead of Deadline Day.
Don’t quite fit
One of the many issues head coach Chauncey Billups had last year was running out lineups that were undersized and out of position. Unfortunately, this problem has continued into this season.
“Swingman” Josh Hart is doing the best he can as a starting small forward. He’s a great athlete and key contributor, but at 6’5″ is not a small forward.
No one can fault the effort Drew Eubanks gives when he’s on the court. To his credit, he is doing the best he can as the Portland Trail Blazers’ backup center, but his lack of size in that position hurts him and the team.
It’s heartbreaking that Nassir Little can’t stay healthy enough to help the team. His contract only sounds like a good deal if he can stay on the court.
Put Gary Payton II in this same category. If he can’t stay healthy, either, then eventually, his contract, like Little’s, it becomes filler to hopefully bring in bench players that can contribute.
Movable for the right upgrade
Jusuf Nurkic has worn the crown of the most polarizing Portland Trail Blazers player for the last few years. When playing at his potential, Nurk is a borderline All-Star.
Those games are few and far between. The question becomes, if Portland trades him, who is realistically available, and at what cost? Someone like Myles Turner will cost not only Nurkic but likely draft picks as well. Not only that but Turner will also want a big contract.
This next player is a tough one. Anfernee Simons is just scratching the surface of being an offensive juggernaut in the NBA. He’s also arguably the highest-value trade chip not named Lillard.
If the Portland Trail Blazers truly want a game-changer star on defense or a star-level player who can get points in the paint, Simons is likely the one to go.
Both of these players are under contract and the Blazers should keep them unless they can find a more obvious upgrade or fit.