As the NBA trade deadline draws near, the Portland Trail Blazers made a quiet but calculated move, acquiring 6-foot-8 guard Vit Krejci from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for center Duop Reath and two future second-round picks. It’s not the kind of blockbuster that shifts the Western Conference power structure, but for a Blazers team clinging to the play-in picture, it’s a move that makes a lot of sense.
Let’s be clear: this is a bet on shooting - and Krejci brings it in spades. Portland currently ranks dead last in the league in three-point percentage at 33.6%.
That’s not just a weakness; it’s a full-blown liability. Krejci, meanwhile, comes in firing at 42.3% from deep this season, good enough to place him among the top 20 shooters in the league.
He’s averaging 9.0 points in just over 22 minutes a night, knocking down 2.2 threes per game. That’s efficient, scalable production - exactly what this Blazers roster has been missing.
Dig a little deeper, and the numbers get even more encouraging. On catch-and-shoot opportunities - the bread and butter for most complementary shooters - Krejci is hitting 44.6%, ranking 16th among players with at least 100 attempts.
That’s not a hot streak; it’s a trend. Over the past three seasons, he’s consistently hovered north of 40% from beyond the arc.
He’s not just a spark plug off the bench anymore - he’s a legitimate rotation piece who knows his role and plays it well.
And then there’s the contract. Krejci is on a four-year, $10.2 million deal, with two more years left after this one.
The third year is non-guaranteed, and the fourth is a team option. That’s team-friendly flexibility, especially for a player who could realistically grow into a bigger role.
At just $2.35 million this season, Portland adds a productive shooter, gets younger by moving off the 29-year-old Reath, and does it all without sacrificing cap flexibility.
Krejci isn’t going to wow anyone with elite athleticism, but he fits the Blazers’ mold: long, versatile guards and wings who can play multiple roles. Offensively, he stays within himself - moves the ball, makes the right reads, and can handle some secondary playmaking when needed.
His quick release - whether it’s off the catch, off the dribble, or even on a step-back - will help create space for slashers like Deni Avdija and Jrue Holiday. Defensively, he’s not a stopper, but he competes, understands team concepts, and doesn’t get lost in rotations.
That’s enough to stay on the floor.
From Atlanta’s side, this move is more about future flexibility than present value. Reath, who’s currently sidelined after foot surgery, was already on the fringes of the Hawks’ rotation.
He averaged just 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds in under eight minutes per game and is on an expiring deal as a restricted free agent. There’s a good chance he’s waived to open up a roster spot.
So the real return for Atlanta is in the picks - a pair of second-rounders, one in 2027 (their own) and another in 2030 via the Knicks. That gives the Hawks seven future second-round picks in total, a clear sign they’re stockpiling assets.
But giving up a cheap, efficient shooter like Krejci - especially after already trading Trae Young for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert - raises some questions. The backcourt is suddenly crowded, and Krejci found himself on the outside looking in.
Still, it’s a curious decision to move on from a player with that kind of shooting profile for what amounts to long-term draft capital.
For Portland, though, the message is pretty clear: they’re not packing it in. This isn’t a full-on rebuild.
It’s a team trying to stay competitive in the short term while keeping one eye on the future. Krejci gives them shooting, size, and a controllable contract - all without costing a rotation player or a premium pick.
That’s the kind of low-risk, high-upside move that can quietly pay dividends in a tight play-in race.
No, this trade won’t turn the Blazers into contenders overnight. But it addresses a glaring weakness and adds a legitimate bench contributor who can swing a game or two when the shots start falling. It’s a smart play - the kind that suggests Portland isn’t done fighting for postseason basketball.
With the deadline looming, this might just be the first move. But even if it’s the only one, it’s a step in the right direction.
Krejci brings a bit of edge to a Blazers team that’s been grinding through the season. And for a fan base hungry for progress, that’s a welcome sight.