As the 2026 NBA Trade Deadline barrels toward its final hours, the Portland Trail Blazers find themselves at a bit of a crossroads. While the league around them is buzzing-stars like Jaren Jackson Jr. and Anthony Davis are switching jerseys-the Blazers have mostly been observers.
Outside of a quiet pickup in reserve guard Vit Krejci, Portland's front office, led by GM Joe Cronin, has kept things close to the vest. That’s left a lot of fans wondering: are the Blazers playing the long game, or are they missing out on a rare chance to reshape the roster?
Let’s be clear: Portland isn’t short on assets. They’ve got draft capital, young talent, and a few veterans with name recognition.
But having pieces isn’t the same as knowing what to do with them-and right now, the Blazers are in a bit of a holding pattern. The market is moving fast, but Portland’s needs are specific.
And if they don’t make another move before the deadline, it’ll likely come down to one of three reasons: the right player wasn’t available, the asking price was too steep, or the Blazers’ own trade chips didn’t carry enough value.
So what are the Blazers looking for? Let’s break it down.
1. Three-Point Shooting: Volume Without Efficiency
This one’s glaring. Portland ranks near the top of the league in three-point attempts-but dead last in percentage.
That’s a brutal combo. You can’t stretch the floor if the defense doesn’t respect your shot, and right now, too many Blazers possessions end with a wide-open miss from deep.
Enter Vit Krejci. He went just 1-for-6 in his Blazers debut, but the mechanics are there.
He’s a shooter by trade, and Portland’s betting on that form translating. Jerami Grant started the season hot but has cooled off.
Beyond that, the Blazers’ perimeter shooting is shaky. If Portland can find someone who can knock down threes and bring another NBA-level skill to the table-whether it’s defense, playmaking, or positional versatility-they should be all over it.
2. Clarity at Center: The Clingan Conundrum
Donovan Clingan has been a force in the paint. He’s big, physical, and when he’s locked in, he protects the rim like a medieval fortress.
But there’s a trade-off. When he’s on the floor, Portland struggles to defend the arc and handle high pick-and-rolls.
When he’s off, they lose size and rebounding. And Robert Williams III, while talented, hasn’t been the answer.
It’s a tough balance. In today’s NBA, you can’t afford to be vulnerable at either the rim or the perimeter.
Portland needs a backup-or potentially a long-term alternative-who can give them a more balanced defensive look. Maybe Yang Hansen is that guy.
Maybe not. Either way, a mobile, defensive-minded big who can hold his own in space would be a smart addition.
3. The Point Guard Puzzle: Too Many Cooks?
Deni Avdija has been a revelation as a jumbo point guard. He’s creating mismatches, pushing pace, and keeping defenses honest.
But he’s also turning the ball over at a high clip-second only to Luka Doncic league-wide. That’s the double-edged sword of handing the keys to a playmaker who’s still learning the position.
Meanwhile, Portland has a full stable of point guards: Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, Damian Lillard, and Blake Wesley. That’s a lot of mouths to feed, and not everyone’s getting minutes.
Lillard is still recovering from injury. Holiday is productive but aging.
Henderson has promise but hasn’t proven he can run the show consistently. Wesley is quick and intriguing, but raw.
At some point, consolidation makes sense. You can’t develop everyone at once, and you can’t keep veterans happy sitting on the bench. If the Blazers can package one or two of these guards in a deal that brings back a wing or a big with long-term upside, it’s worth exploring.
4. Veteran Contracts: Time to Cash Out?
This might be the toughest call of all. Jerami Grant and Jrue Holiday are both making $32 million this season.
That’s fair value for what they bring-veteran presence, two-way ability, leadership. But those deals climb toward $40 million by 2028, when Holiday will be 37 and Grant 33 with a lot of mileage.
Right now, those contracts are still movable. A year or two from now?
Maybe not. Portland has younger players waiting in the wings, and it’s hard to see a scenario where both Grant and Holiday finish out those deals in a Blazers uniform.
If Cronin can flip one of them for a younger piece or a more flexible contract, it could be a forward-looking move that pays off down the line.
5. Expiring Deals: Thybulle, Williams, and the Art of the Clean-Up Trade
Matisse Thybulle is on an $11.5 million expiring deal and brings elite perimeter defense. He’s also one of six players on the roster who play his position.
That redundancy stands out. If a contender comes calling, Portland should listen.
Robert Williams III is also on an expiring ($13.3 million), though his situation is less urgent. Still, these are the kinds of deals that can help tidy up the roster and streamline the books-especially if the return includes a younger player or a second-round pick with upside.
6. Do the Blazers Need Another Star?
Short answer: yes.
When Avdija isn’t on the floor, Portland’s offense often looks disjointed and tentative. There’s promise, sure, but not enough polish. Adding another proven, high-level player-someone who can anchor a unit, create their own shot, and elevate the group-would go a long way.
This current core has potential, but the ceiling feels capped without more help. Draft picks in 2029 aren’t going to help this generation of Blazers.
If there’s a chance to land a difference-maker-even if it costs a key player and a couple of picks-Portland should seriously consider it. You don’t get many windows to reshape your franchise.
This might be one of them.
The clock’s ticking. Portland has options, but they also have decisions to make. Whether they swing big or stay quiet, what happens at this deadline will say a lot about the direction of this team-not just for the rest of this season, but for the years ahead.