The Pelicans’ early-season slide has already reopened a question they seemed eager to shut down all summer: how long can they keep treating parts of this roster like untouchables?
New Orleans is 2-4 and drifting out of the Western Conference playoff picture, a rough start for a team that came into the season with a firm stance on its young core after a 26-56 finish. That posture looked questionable then, and it looks even shakier now. If anything, the early results should push Joe Dumars toward a harder reset - one that would include listening on wings like Trey Murphy III and Herb Jones for future draft capital.
There is at least some movement on the guard front. According to Shamit Dua of In The N.O., the Pelicans are reportedly open to finding a trade partner for Dejounte Murray. Dua also reported that Jordan Poole is another name to watch after telling the Pelicans he’d be “open to opportunities elsewhere.”
That matters for Portland, even if not because of Murray or Poole themselves. The Blazers have little reason to chase either guard, given how crowded their backcourt already is. But if New Orleans is willing to explore change, the real prize for Portland would be one of those two-way wings.
Either Jones or Murphy would make sense in a Blazers uniform. Portland needs more wing depth and more defense, and that need has shown up early this season.
Sidy Cissoko’s rapid development has helped cover for the departures of Matisse Thybulle, Jerami Grant, and Kris Murray, but the group could still use reinforcements. Vit Krejci’s slow start from deep - 18.2 percent - only adds to that need.
If the question is which Pelicans wing fits better offensively, Murphy gets the nod. His spacing and shot creation would give Portland something it has been missing, especially from Grant. The catch is obvious: Murphy’s game plays everywhere, which makes him expensive and hard to pry loose.
Jones would help too, but the answer for Portland really comes down to what New Orleans asks for each player. That asking price didn’t seem to budge much over the offseason, but the Pelicans’ early struggles - and the chatter around their guards - could change that by February’s deadline.
Joe Cronin should be watching closely. Portland could decide to buy at the deadline if it wants to make a deeper playoff run, and the Blazers have the future assets to chase either wing. The only real question is whether the price finally drops to a level they’re willing to pay.
In Other News...
Blazers Keep Getting Better News From The Damian Lillard Trade
The Damian Lillard trade keeps looking better for Portland, not just because of what the Blazers received in the deal, but because of how the rest of the transaction has played out since. Milwaukee has been trying to navigate an early-season slump after parting with Giannis Antetokounmpo, and the ripple effects of the Lillard move have only added to the sense that Portland came out ahead in a major way.
For the Blazers, the return was always about more than one player, and the draft capital attached to the deal has given the franchise more flexibility as it tries to build forward. Milwaukees decision to waive Lillard to create cap room also underscored how much long-term financial maneuvering came with the trade, leaving Portland with a package that keeps gaining value as the Bucks continue to sort through the fallout. [Read more 🡒]
Blazers Fans May Not Like How Close This Suns Rematch Looks
The Trail Blazers are heading into their rematch with the Suns in a familiar spot for an early-season contender: dealing with injury absences while still trying to keep the momentum rolling. Portland is expected to be without key players Ja Morant and Shaedon Sharpe, which makes the matchup a little trickier on paper, even as the Blazers have opened the season strong and remain the models pick to win.
For fans, the interesting part is how tight this one looks against the betting market. The simulation projections point toward Portland, but they also suggest a game that could stay close enough to test whether the Blazers can keep turning solid starts into actual results. With the Suns back on the schedule, the margin for error feels slim, and the numbers are leaving just enough room for a tense finish. [Read more 🡒]
Sidy Cissoko Is Quietly Solving A Blazers Problem Joe Cronin Bet On
Joe Cronins decision to stand pat on the wing after the offseason has looked a little less risky with each passing game. The Trail Blazers did not go out and chase a replacement for the players they lost, trusting the roster already in place, and Sidy Cissoko has started to look like the kind of internal answer that can make that bet work. The 22-year-old has carved out a real role off the bench, bringing a steadier offensive touch and the kind of defensive versatility Portland can use in a rotation that still has some sorting out to do.
Through the first six games, Cissoko has given the Blazers something beyond a temporary hot stretch. His shooting has improved, his activity on the other end has fit what the team needs, and the minutes he is getting do not feel accidental. Portland is intentionally making room for him, which says plenty about how the staff views his place in the rotation and how much confidence there is that this two-way impact can hold up. [Read more 🡒]