Trail Blazers Trade Rumors Roundup: Tristan Thompson to Portland, Harkless on the move and more

#2 Maurice Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu are hot on the NorthWest Division trade watch and here's why

Harkless and Aminu are both averaging less than 10 ppg this season.

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.