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After being swept by the New Orleans Pelicans in the playoffs last year, the Trail Blazers had some major rethinking to do. They have bounced back with an impressive showing so far in the ever-so-competitive Western Conference and are currently 4th (with a 29-20(0.592) win-loss record) on the West leaderboard.
Having made it past the first round in the playoffs just once in the past three years, it's anyone's guess that the Trailblazers' quality of postseason basketball does not match their regular season's in any way. Carrying the best pair of backcourt scorers across the league in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum, laced with a quality center in Jusuf Nurkic, the Portland roster's drastic failures in the playoffs are really inexplicable at times.
The Trail Blazers have been riding on their roster continuity for quite a while now, but apparently, tend to fall short time and again when matched against the potential title contenders down the stretch.
With the trade deadline right around the corner, President of Operations Neil Olshey would be looking for some reinforcements through trade. Experts have been looming over the idea of the 'Portland front-office aggressively pursuing a trade to fortify their roster' for a noticeable enough time now as well.
With all that said and done, let's delve into some of the realistic possibilities on the cards for the Trailblazers before the February 7 deadline.
#1 Jeremy Lin and Tristan Thompson have been associated with Portland's trade interests as of late
According to Sean Deveney of Sporting News, the Trailblazers have shown extensive interest in Atlanta Hawks' Jeremy Lin,
Portland, too, would be willing to part with its first-rounder to add depth to a roster that badly needs help in the backcourt and on the wing. The Trail Blazers could be a player for Ross or Simmons, too. But sources tell SN that they have expressed interest in another player expected to be made available for a first-round pick: Atlanta point guard Jeremy Lin.
When the Hawks traded for Lin last summer, the hope was that he could be a veteran presence for the first part of the season for young point guard Trae Young, then could be swapped for a rebuilding asset to help the woebegone Hawks’ future. A first-rounder would do the trick.
With the Hawks inclined to build a team around youngsters John Collins, Trae Young and Taurean Waller-Prince, a nine-year veteran in Lin is something that the Hawks would not be hell-bent on keeping.
Another thread emerges from the rumors comprising the association of Cavaliers big man Tristan Thompson with a couple of suitors in Oklahoma and Portland. Tristan is having one of his best seasons ever since Bron exited the spotlight and with impending free agency in 2020, the Cavs might look to trade him now when he might bring decent returns.
It is expected of teams that are out of playoff contention(like the Cavaliers) to get active as the trade deadline approaches and shell out their pieces to teams stuck in a traffic jam(Portland) looking to make the final leap before the postseason kicks off.
Also read: NBA Trade Rumors Roundup
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#2 Maurice Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu are hot on the NorthWest Division trade watch and here's why
Neil Olshey splurged out a flurry of heavy contracts back in 2016 and as a result, left himself with no option but to stay quiet in free agency. But trading players for better fits is one way he can fortify his roster and make it playoff ready once and for all.
Harkless has been shooting 50% from the field and 37.5% from distance across the past two seasons and is capable of guarding multiple seasons. Despite his knee issues in the recent past as well as his $42 million (over four years) contract(also signed in 2016), his abilities make him suitable to fulfill teams' need of a big-bodied wing down the stretch.
On the other hand, Al-Farouq Aminu is Portland's best 3-and-D player. He is capable of defending, stretching the floor, shooting from long-range and rebounding all at the same time. His talent and consistency is what's making teams call Oshley for a possible move involving the 28-year-old.
Also, with Aminu set to become an unrestricted free agent this summer, this might be the apt trade chip from Portland's standpoint and the right occasion for other teams to test him before offering him a contract.
#3 The dream trade that everybody(including Portland) wants: Anthony Davis
Yes. If Anthony Davis shows signs of signing elsewhere after the end of next season, and the Celtics as well as the Lakers - who possess the most assets and are currently front-runners to acquire AD - end up being overprotective of their young talent in the coming future, this can happen.
If the Blazers show willingness to let go of a bunch of promising young talent(most probably a package consisting of Zach Collins, Aminu, Harkless, future picks or maybe Evan Turner as well), they just might be next in line to land the generational talent.
Understandably so, there is a possible risk of Davis leaving, but with the kind of talent he brings to the table, it is worth the effort. Just imagining Damian Lillard and AD going against any opposition hand-in-hand is awe-inspiring. Throw in a McCollum and a Bosnian Beast in the mix, and that's the team that might induce nightmares to even Golden State's sound sleep.
