The Trail Blazers figure to be one of the more active teams in the trade market and Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report lists a handful of players who could be moved if the right offer comes along. That group includes Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton, Anfernee Simons, Matisse Thybulle and Robert Williams.
Grant may be at the top of that list, according to Highkin — there’s a market for the productive veteran forward and there will never be a better time for the Blazers to move him. Rival teams are indicating that two first-rounders is more than they’re willing to give up for Grant, but that could change by the deadline. Grant had a 32-point game against San Antonio on Friday.
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- Walker Kessler and John Collins have been bright spots in an otherwise disappointing start to the season for the Jazz, Tony Jones of The Athletic writes. However, lottery pick Cody Williams‘ struggles during his rookie year raise some concerns. Williams got rotation minutes early in the season but has spent the last few weeks working on his game in the G League.
- The Nuggets would like Julian Strawther to fire away, Bennett Durando of the Denver Post writes. Coach Michael Malone wants to see Strawther put up more three-point shots. “It gives us a boost. It gives us a guy off the bench that you can play through and run plays for,” Malone said. “His catch-and-shoot ability, the three-point line. … He’s taking four a game at a really healthy clip. Let’s get that number up to six, six-and-a-half threes per game.” Strawther, who has scored in double figures four straight games, has made 39% of his threes on 3.4 attempts per game.
- Nuggets guard Christian Braun missed his first game since the 2023 Western Conference Finals, Durando tweets. Braun sat out Monday’s game against the Kings due to a lower back strain. Braun is averaging 15.0 points a game in his first season as a full-time starter.
Lakers may have offered 3 overpaid contracts for Ayton 70 million contract remaining
Vanderbilt
Rui
Vincent
Question
How many Firsts would Blazers ask for?
If I’m the Blazers and you are the Lakers and want Ayton, I’d ask for Knecht or Reeves, plus one first-round pick. Of course, throw in garbage to match salaries.
Lakers laugh and hang up on you. Ayton is a negative asset himself, currently. He’s a fit trade for the Lakers.
On the Laker side only Rui has value. Portland most likely would rather have D’Lo expiring contract than 2 bad contracts. Lakers throw in a 2nd rounder with D’lo and Rui.
Knowing it was Sillivan calling, id either blocked or didnt bother answering
Nobody wants Ayton on that contract, and no amount of desperation will change that. He’s staying put for at least another year. Only chance he gets traded is for either another terrible contract or once he becomes a rental. Even then, it’s questionable. His next contract is going to be a huge downgrade.
Portland is a tricky spot.
There franchise PG, Scott is playing terrible.
They have 3 centres that all capable of being starters but for whatever reason they are trying to win games and are reluctant to trade Ayton and go with Clingham. They should be tanking for Flegg, Bailey or Harper and continuing to stay young.
Cash in on Simon’s, Grant and Ayton, let Scott fail and learn from his mistakes, let Sharpe have the keys and have Clingham start. Add a top 3 pick to this group and with the assets you get from the trades your looking like the rockets with a bright future in no time.
I think Deni & Sharpe both could have the keys once they part with Simmons & Grant.