Why Vit Krejci Might Be the Under-the-Radar Deadline Steal the Blazers Desperately Needed
No, Vit Krejci wasn’t the flashiest name moved at the trade deadline. But when you dig into what the Portland Trail Blazers actually needed - and what they gave up to get him - it’s hard to find a more impactful, low-cost addition across the league.
Let’s start with the deal itself: Portland sent an injured Duop Reath (who Atlanta has already waived) and two future second-round picks to the Hawks in exchange for Krejci. On paper, that’s a minor move. But for a Blazers squad that’s been starving for consistent shooting, Krejci might just be the right piece at the right time.
A Pure Floor Spacer - Exactly What Portland's Been Missing
Krejci is averaging 8.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists this season, shooting 46% from the field, 42% from deep, and 75% from the line. Those numbers may not jump off the page, but the three-point efficiency is where he really shines. He’s quietly ranked among the top 20 in the league in three-point percentage - elite territory for a role player.
That’s music to the ears of a Blazers team that’s been near the bottom of the league in three-point shooting for three straight seasons. What makes that even more problematic is Portland’s style of play: they like to run and fire from deep. They’re top five in the NBA in three-point attempts, but that volume hasn’t translated to efficiency - until now, possibly.
Krejci won’t fix everything, but he gives them something they’ve sorely lacked: a reliable, high-efficiency shooter who can stretch the floor and punish defenses that collapse in transition. In a league where spacing is currency, Krejci adds real value.
The Price? Practically a Bargain
Two second-round picks might sound like a decent price on paper, but in today’s NBA, that’s a light ask - especially when you consider the growing trend of college players returning to school thanks to NIL deals, which has thinned out the second-round talent pool. For Portland, this was a calculated swing with minimal downside.
And it gets better: Krejci is just 25 years old and under team control through 2027-28 on a $3 million team option. That’s the kind of flexibility front offices dream about. It’s also part of a broader pattern from GM Joe Cronin, who’s quietly built a portfolio of team-friendly contracts that allow the Blazers to absorb bigger deals without gutting their asset base.
We’ve already seen this with players like Deni Avdija and Jrue Holiday - and while the Holiday deal raised some eyebrows given his price tag, the ability to take on that contract was made possible by smart, low-cost moves like Krejci’s.
A Perfect Fit for Where Portland Is Right Now
Let’s be clear: if Krejci had landed with a contending team, this move probably wouldn’t have made much noise. But in Portland - where the rebuild is still in motion and the margins matter - he could be a genuine difference-maker.
The Blazers are teetering on the edge of postseason contention, trying to avoid a fifth straight year without playoff basketball. Krejci might not be a star, but his shooting could be the subtle swing factor that nudges them into the play-in - or keeps them out.
And when you consider what Portland gave up to get him, it’s hard not to call this a steal. A young, efficient shooter on a team-friendly deal, acquired for essentially spare parts? That’s the kind of move that doesn’t make headlines - but can make a season.