Trail Blazers Exploring Potential Role as Trade Facilitator - Could VJ Edgecombe Be the Prize?
With the Feb. 5 trade deadline fast approaching, the Portland Trail Blazers are quietly positioning themselves as one of the more intriguing players on the NBA trade market - not necessarily as buyers or sellers, but as facilitators in something much bigger. Specifically, they’re exploring ways to get involved in a potential blockbuster centered around Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Now, let’s be clear: Giannis himself reportedly isn’t eyeing Portland as a destination. But that doesn’t mean the Blazers can’t make noise. In fact, they’re sitting on a stash of assets that could make them a key swing team in any major deal - especially one involving the Milwaukee Bucks.
Portland owns Milwaukee’s 2029 first-round pick, along with pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 - a haul they acquired in a previous deal that’s starting to look smarter by the day. If the Bucks stumble in the years ahead, those picks could turn into gold. And with that kind of long-term capital, general manager Joe Cronin has leverage - but also a tough decision to make.
What’s the Right Return for Portland’s War Chest?
The challenge for the Blazers is deciding when, and for whom, to cash in. Those Bucks picks are valuable, but they’re also volatile.
If Milwaukee stays competitive, they might land in the late lottery. If things go south, they could become top-tier assets.
That kind of uncertainty makes it tempting to flip them now for a more stable return.
And that brings us to a fascinating hypothetical trade floated by Sam Vecenie: Portland sends out all their Bucks picks plus Scoot Henderson in exchange for Philadelphia 76ers rookie VJ Edgecombe - a rising star who’s already turning heads in Year 1.
The Mock Deal: Scoot and Picks for Edgecombe
Let’s break this down. In this proposed multi-team deal, Portland essentially swaps one former No. 3 overall pick (Henderson) and a trio of future Milwaukee picks for Edgecombe, who’s quickly building a case as one of the most promising young two-way players in the league.
Edgecombe’s rookie numbers speak for themselves: 15.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 43% from the field, 37% from three, and 77% from the line. That’s not just solid - that’s starter production on a playoff-caliber team. And at just 19, he’s only scratching the surface.
Vecenie’s argument is that Portland would be trading uncertainty for certainty. The Bucks picks could become top-5 selections - or they could land in the late lottery.
Scoot Henderson, while still full of promise, has had a rocky sophomore campaign, including a hamstring injury that’s slowed his momentum. Edgecombe, on the other hand, is already producing and fits Portland’s timeline and defensive identity.
The Scoot Factor: Selling Low or Strategic Pivot?
This is where things get tricky. Scoot Henderson still has a high ceiling.
He’s explosive, creative, and has the kind of motor you want in a franchise point guard. But his development has been uneven, and injuries haven’t helped.
Trading him now would be, in some ways, selling low - betting that he won’t hit the All-Star level many projected for him.
But Edgecombe offers a different kind of upside. He’s a plug-and-play contributor with long-term star potential, and his skill set - especially on the defensive end - fits snugly with what Portland is trying to build. He’s also on a rookie deal through 2029, giving the Blazers financial flexibility as they continue to shape their young core.
Where the Blazers Stand in the Rebuild
Portland isn’t tanking, but they’re also not contending. They’re in that murky middle ground where the right move could accelerate the rebuild - or set it back. Adding a player like Edgecombe could help them push for a play-in spot now while also laying the foundation for a future playoff core alongside Shaedon Sharpe, Anfernee Simons, and Deandre Ayton.
It’s a lot to give up. No question. But if Portland believes Edgecombe is a future All-Star, this is exactly the kind of aggressive, forward-thinking move that could define the next era of Blazers basketball.
Whether or not this specific deal materializes, one thing is clear: Portland is open for business - and they’ve got the assets to swing big.