The Portland Trail Blazers are finally making moves - and not a moment too soon.
With the Feb. 5 trade deadline looming, Portland has entered the fray with a deal that sent Duop Reath and two future second-round picks to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for 6-foot-8 sharpshooter Vit Krejci. It’s a low-risk, high-upside swing for general manager Joe Cronin.
Krejci brings floor spacing, size, and youth to a roster that’s clearly shifting its focus toward long-term development. On a team-friendly contract, he fits the timeline - and the budget - for a franchise still in the early stages of its rebuild.
But if recent reports are any indication, the Blazers are far from finished.
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, Portland is “in the midst of LOTS of NBA trade matters at the moment,” suggesting more moves could be on the horizon. And if there’s a logical next step, it’s this: offload one of the two big-money veterans - Jerami Grant or Jrue Holiday - and create some much-needed financial breathing room.
Let’s be clear: both Grant and Holiday are still productive players. Grant has quietly put together a strong season, upping his trade value at the right time.
Holiday, even at 35, remains a steadying presence on both ends of the floor. But with both players owed over $100 million across the next three seasons - including player options in 2027-28 - the long-term math just doesn’t work.
Not under the new collective bargaining agreement. Not for a team that’s trying to build around a young core.
And that’s really the heart of the issue. The Blazers finally have a rising star in Deni Avdija, who earned his first All-Star nod this season.
Eventually, they’ll need to renegotiate and extend his deal - and that won’t come cheap. Keeping both Grant and Holiday on the books while trying to invest in Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and others?
That’s a tough needle to thread. Something’s got to give.
There have been rumblings. The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly showed interest in Grant, though it’s unclear if they’re still in buying mode with Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future in flux.
The Knicks have explored scenarios involving Holiday, and given their aggressive front office, that’s a situation worth monitoring. But if we’ve learned anything from Cronin’s tenure, it’s to expect the unexpected.
Portland doesn’t always move in straight lines - and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
What is clear is that a consolidation trade is coming. Portland is expected to convert two-way players Caleb Love and Sidy Cissoko to standard contracts after the deadline, which means two spots on the 15-man roster need to be cleared.
That might be a separate move entirely, but it adds urgency to the situation. If the Blazers want to open up space for their young talent and shed some long-term salary in the process, now’s the time.
Whether it’s Grant, Holiday, or a more creative package, the Blazers have a chance to reset their books and double down on their youth movement. That’s not just smart cap management - it’s the kind of forward-thinking approach that gives a young team a real shot at building something sustainable.
The clock’s ticking. Let’s see what Cronin has up his sleeve.