The Portland Trail Blazers are quietly heating up. Winners of four of their last five, they’ve clawed their way into 10th place in the Western Conference with a 12-17 record-a spot that, in this year’s uneven West, puts them squarely in the Play-In Tournament conversation. It’s not a seismic leap, but for a team in the thick of a rebuild, it’s a sign of life.
The West, top-heavy as ever, hasn’t exactly lived up to the preseason hype. That’s opened a window for teams like Portland to hang around the fringes of contention while still figuring out who they are. And with the schedule easing up and several key players working their way back from injury, the Trail Blazers could stay in the mix longer than many expected.
But that brings us to the million-dollar question: what’s Portland’s next move? With the Feb. 5 trade deadline looming, the Blazers are at a crossroads.
Do they chase a Play-In berth, or do they stay the course on a longer-term rebuild? That decision may hinge on what they do with one of their most valuable-and complicated-assets: Jerami Grant.
Why Jerami Grant’s Trade Value Is the Puzzle Piece That Could Shape Portland’s Future
According to reporting from NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Blazers are open to moving both Jerami Grant and Robert Williams III. That’s notable, especially considering Grant’s role as the team’s veteran anchor and leading scorer.
You could also make a case for Matisse Thybulle being on the block-he’s on an expiring deal and fits the profile of a player contenders might target for defensive depth. But Grant is the headliner here, and the calculus around him is far more complex.
Grant is in the middle of a bounce-back season. He’s looked sharper, more efficient, and more comfortable in his role.
But he’s also owed $66.2 million over the next two seasons, with a $36.4 million player option in 2027-28. That’s a hefty commitment for a team that’s still building from the ground up.
Even if he’s producing now, the long-term financial flexibility that could come from moving that contract might outweigh the short-term benefit of keeping him around for a potential Play-In push.
It’s a tough call. Grant is a respected voice in the locker room and a favorite of general manager Joe Cronin.
But this is a front office that’s shown it’s willing to play the long game. Trading Grant-while unpopular in the short term-might be the kind of forward-thinking move that accelerates the rebuild rather than stalling it.
The Bigger Picture: Creating Space for the Next Core
There’s also a ripple effect to consider. Deni Avdija is blossoming into a legitimate All-Star candidate, and his front-loaded, team-friendly contract is already starting to complicate future extension talks. At some point, the Blazers will need to lock him in long-term, and that means making tough decisions about where the money goes.
Moving Grant would not only clear cap space but also open up more opportunity for Avdija to take on a larger role-both on the floor and within the team’s hierarchy. And with Jrue Holiday’s contract also on the books, every dollar matters when trying to build a sustainable contender.
A Play-In Push vs. A Purposeful Rebuild
This is where Portland’s front office has to thread the needle. Yes, fans are hungry to see postseason basketball again.
Four straight years without a playoff appearance will do that. But chasing a low seed at the expense of long-term growth isn’t the answer.
The Blazers have a chance to be deliberate here-to reshape the roster in a way that sets them up for something more meaningful down the line.
That doesn’t mean punting on the rest of the season. It means being strategic. If the right offer comes along for Grant, it could be the kind of move that helps Portland take the next step-not just toward the Play-In, but toward true relevance in the West.
So while the standings might suggest the Blazers are on the rise, the real progress will be measured by the decisions they make between now and February 5. This deadline isn’t just about this season-it’s about the future they’re trying to build.