Like most rebuilding teams, the Portland Trail Blazers are firmly in the mix of trade discussions— they’re holding ample win-now veterans up for grabs at the right price.
General Manager Joe Cronin has stuck with a stern approach when handling negotiations, often showing patience and waiting for the right deal to surface (look no further than the Damian Lillard trade for proof).
There are four players that don’t fit Portland’s young timeline. All of them are worth a hefty price, contract-wise, but each brings a skillset that could bolster a contender for a deep playoff run.
Let’s take a look at potential Blazers trades ahead of next week’s deadline.
Anfernee Simons
Even though he’s only 25 years old, Simons is Portland’s longest-tenured player by a decent margin.
Lillard took the young sharpshooter under his wing early on. Simons has even credited Lillard with giving him the playbook for how to be a successful guard in the league and morphing him into the player he is today.
Simons has had his ups and downs over the past few years while trying to assert himself as Portland’s go-to option. He’s clearly a talented offensive player and one of the best pure shooters in the league, but a lack of defensive consistency and doubt surrounding his ability to fit next to the Blazers’ hopeful point guard of the future, Scoot Henderson, have likely left Anfernee outside of Portland’s long-term plans.
Mock Trade
- Kings acquire Anfernee Simons, SAS 2025 1st round pick (via ATL), SAS 2025 1st round pick (via CHI top-10 protected)
- Blazers acquire Keldon Johnson, Tre Jones
- Spurs acquire De’Aaron Fox
It would greatly benefit all parties if Cronin could enter Portland into the looming blockbuster deal between Sacramento and San Antonio.
The Kings could keep pace with their win-now plans by adding Simons, who, while not on the same tier as Fox, is roughly the same age and adds the shooting that Sacramento desperately needs. Simons, plus two immediate first-round draft picks, would keep Sacramento within striking distance of the playoffs this year while also allowing them to potentially solve their lack of depth issues going into next season.
The Blazers would solidify Henderson’s backup in Tre Jones and get to explore the talents of Keldon Johnson, who has been unable to find consistent success in San Antonio and could use a change of scenery. The Spurs would send those two players, plus the aforementioned two first-round picks, for Fox.
Jerami Grant
Grant’s five-year contract extension, handed out by Cronin mere days before Lillard requested a trade back in the summer of 2023, was a head-scratcher in the moment and now lingers as a thorn in Portland’s side.
Grant has been fine on the court, although his shooting has declined this year, and he’s struggled to stay healthy, but at almost 31 years old, with three full years remaining and an AAV of $32 million, Grant might be difficult for the Blazers to move given the new wrinkles of the first- and second-aprons.
Mock trade
- Wizards acquire Pat Connaughton from Bucks, 2nd round pick from Blazers
- Blazers acquire Khris Middleton, Tyler Smith, 2031 1st round pick (top-5 protected) from Bucks
- Bucks acquire Jerami Grant, Dalano Banton from Blazers
Cronin is no stranger to making deals with either Washington’s Will Dawkins or Milwaukee’s Jon Horst.
The Bucks’ first move needs to be to offload Pat Connaughton in order to fall below the second-apron line. Since Connaughton has failed to be a productive player this season, the Bucks must tie an asset to him. Washington can take on his contract and Portland can provide that asset.
Next, Milwaukee needs a Middleton replacement. There’s a chance the longtime vet and championship-level wing can bounce back, but with all of his health issues, that chance is low. Jerami Grant would fill that role almost immediately. He provides three-point shooting to space the floor and has proven many times that he can improve a defense — leading the Blazers in defensive win shares this season — and the Bucks get him for four seasons. That should fit Lillard’s timeline, who he already has familiarity playing with.
Portland would likely buy out Middleton, who looks like he wants to stop putting his body through the trials and tribulations of NBA basketball. Even though Middleton has a player option he’ll certainly exercise, they would be off his contract two years quicker than Grant’s. They add a flier with size in Tyler Smith and get to own a little bit more of Milwaukee’s future with protection.
Robert Williams
Robert Williams is a great player… when he’s on the court.
Portland has been reluctant to use him to the fullest of his capabilities this year. He is fragile but can still be a great rim protector and vocal leader.
Williams could be a great complement to Donovan Clingan, who has also had limitations in terms of availability so far in his career. However, Portland could also capitalize on Williams’ value right now and send him to a team that could use him as a contender.
Mock Trade
- Rockets acquire Robert Williams III
- Blazers acquire Jock Landale, 2028 1st round pick (Lottery Protected)
The Rockets are one team rumored to be looking for Williams and his playoff experience.
Robert Williams is generating a strong market from title-contending teams in the Western Conference.
The Lakers, Nuggets and Rockets have all recently expressed interest in trading for Williams.
Williams is averaging 5.8 points and 1.7 blocks this season for the Trail Blazers. pic.twitter.com/Ae2z94R3fz
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) January 29, 2025
The Blazers could maintain center minutes by acquiring Jock Landale, using him to help work Clingan into his long-term role and grab a late first-round pick in the process. Since Houston is likely going to be a playoff contender for years to come, the lottery protection shouldn’t come into play in 2028, and they likely shouldn’t need that pick.
Deandre Ayton
When you look at the box score, Deandre Ayton looks like a productive player for Portland, seemingly night in and night out.
But when you take a look at body language, defensive impact, lack of aggression at the rim and on closeouts, and note how many times he’s been flat-out benched this year, it’s clear that Ayton is no longer a coveted player in this league. The Blazers would be happy to get anything they can for him.
Mock Trade
- Pelicans acquire Deandre Ayton
- Blazers acquire Brandon Ingram
Another player whose current team is looking to get whatever they can for him is the injured Ingram. BI has hardly played this season, and New Orleans was pushing him out due to the emergence of Trey Murphy, anyway. In this trade, the Pelicans can fill their desperate need for center minutes, even if it is with the often aloof Ayton, to alleviate Yves Missi.
Portland brings Brandon Ingram in the door. If they like him (and if they can get him and Simons to squash their baby mama drama), they get the chance to keep him long-term. If they don’t, or if he doesn’t want to be in Portland, then they have contract flexibility one year earlier than they would with Ayton.
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