The Portland Trail Blazers are sitting at 10-16, 11th in the Western Conference, and straddling that murky line between staying competitive and thinking long-term. Some nights, they look like a team that could make noise in the Play-In Tournament.
Other nights? Not so much.
But as the NBA trade season officially opens, the Blazers aren’t signaling a rebuild. In fact, they’re being labeled as buyers-a clear sign that the front office believes this group still has some fight left in them.
Now, let’s be real: this isn’t a team that’s just one superstar away from contending for the West. But according to league insiders, Portland may only be a move or two from getting back into the Play-In mix. And if there’s one glaring weakness that needs addressing, it’s shooting-specifically from beyond the arc.
Right now, the Blazers are near the bottom of the league in three-point percentage, hitting just 33.4% from deep. That’s second-worst in the NBA. In today’s game, where spacing and perimeter threats are essential to opening up the floor, that kind of shooting simply won’t cut it-especially for a team trying to claw its way up a crowded Western standings board.
Some of that could improve naturally with better health. The Blazers have been banged up at times this season, and continuity has been hard to come by. But even with a fully healthy roster, it’s clear they’re missing consistent outside threats to stretch defenses and create better looks for their young core.
There’s another layer to this, though: the salary cap. Portland is brushing right up against the luxury tax line, and any move they make will have to be financially savvy. That means adding shooting without adding significant salary-no easy task in a market where shooters are always in demand.
Still, the path is there. The West is as tightly packed as ever, and a small boost in efficiency-especially from deep-could be enough to push the Blazers into Play-In territory.
They don’t need a blockbuster. They need a couple of smart, targeted upgrades that align with their cap situation and help fix their most pressing flaw.
So as trade season kicks off, all eyes will be on Portland’s front office. Do they stand pat and hope internal development and health are enough? Or do they make a calculated move to address the shooting woes and make a real push for postseason play?
One thing’s for sure: the Blazers aren’t folding. Not yet.