The Portland Trail Blazers have already shown they’re willing to make a swing if the upside is worth it, and that same approach could lead them into a deal for Kristaps Porzingis.
A trade with the Golden State Warriors would give Portland a shot at adding Porzingis while giving Golden State a path to recoup value as it tries to navigate his situation with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). The Warriors are said to be looking for a trade partner, and the Blazers could fit as a team willing to take a calculated risk.
One version of the deal would send Shaedon Sharpe to Golden State. Sharpe is expected to miss most of the season because of a torn meniscus in his right knee, but at 23 years old and under a four-year, $90 million contract, he still carries meaningful value. For the Warriors, that kind of contract could be useful whether they keep him or move him again.
That flexibility matters if Golden State wants to make the most of the final years with Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler. Sharpe could be flipped for another piece that helps right away, or he could simply serve as a move that keeps the Warriors from letting Porzingis’ situation drain value.
Portland would also be in position to collect future assets in the deal. The package could include a 2028 first-round pick and a 2031 pick swap, giving the Blazers something tangible even if Porzingis never suits up for them.
There’s another layer to this for Portland, too. The team could create more room to extend Scoot Henderson, who is set to be looking for a new contract after the season. Henderson’s future with the Blazers remains unresolved, but the team still appears interested in keeping him around, even though no extension has been signed yet.
The gamble is obvious: Sharpe would be gone, and he likely won’t play this season until March anyway. That makes the risk easier to justify for Portland, especially if the reward includes both draft capital and the chance to maneuver again later.
And if Porzingis doesn’t become part of the long-term picture in Portland, the Blazers would still have one more option - moving him later to another team that needs a big or needs salary matching more than they do.
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