Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Coming into the NBA season, the Portland Trail Blazers have been viewed as one of the potential sleeper teams in the West. This team just barely missed the playoffs last year, and the organization is looking for more growth from its young core this season.
But Portland doesn’t have an All-Star on the roster, and this could end up holding them back. There have been rumors about the team potentially looking to add more talent to the roster, but so far, the front office has resisted doing so.
However, if the team were to get off to a hot start again this year, it could see Portland look to make a move. The Trail Blazers have the talent to get a deal done, and the city has a strong fanbase.
Portland wants to get back to the playoffs, and adding a star to the mix could help its case. If the front office believes it is worth making happen, things could get very interesting at the trade deadline this year.
This is just a prediction, NOT a report!
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Lauri Markkanen Traded to Portland Trail Blazers
As the Trail Blazers look to get themselves back to the postseason, the front office could elect to be very active at the upcoming trade deadline next spring. This could see Portland make a move to add a star player to the mix, and this could help push them over the hump.
One option for Portland to consider could be star forward Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz, who could be very tradable here soon. With the Jazz not expected to be competitive this season, Markkanen is likely to be moved for future assets.
NBA Insider Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated has reported that it seems that the likelihood of the Jazz moving Markkanen could be higher than ever. Mannix is saying that the Jazz could move the star if the right deal were to come along.
“Lauri Markkanen is the name I hear most frequently. Utah passed on an offer from Golden State for Markkanen in the summer of 2024, believing a stronger market would materialize. It didn’t, and right now there is a belief that the Jazz are very open for business on their 28-year-old ex-All-Star,” Mannix said.
Markkanen could be perfect for the Trail Blazers, and he would fit the timeline of the young core in place. The veteran big man could serve this team well, and he could help them get back to competing for the playoffs fully.
In 47 games with the Jazz, the forward posted 19.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.7 steals per contest. Markkanen also shot 34.6 percent from beyond the 3-point line, and there is hope that he will improve that percentage with more playing time.
Markkanen could pair up alongside Donovan Clingan, giving the Trail Blazers one of the better defensive frontcourts around the league. The All-Star could use the change of scenery, and the two sides could be beneficial to each other.
This is just one option for the Trail Blazers to consider if they want to add an All-Star to the team. Portland has the feeling of a team ready to explode, but they need a little more to fully take advantage of everything.
