Rip City is in a weird spot. Honestly, it’s a spot we haven't seen in years. Usually, by mid-January, we’re either talking about "tanking for the top pick" or "getting Dame one more piece." But it’s 2026, and the vibe has shifted. The Portland Trail Blazer rumors trades buzz isn't about desperate fire sales anymore; it's about a team that has actually established itself as a rising Western Conference contender.
General Manager Joe Cronin has spent the last two years quietly building a defensive identity that people are finally starting to respect. But with the February 5 trade deadline looming, the big question isn't whether the Blazers can make a move—it’s whether they should mess with a good thing.
The Memphis Fire Sale: Is Jaren Jackson Jr. Actually Available?
If you had told me a month ago that Jaren Jackson Jr. would be a realistic target for Portland, I’d have said you’re dreaming. But the Memphis Grizzlies are currently imploding. They're sitting 10th in the West, and the latest reports suggest they are finally listening to offers for Ja Morant.
When a superstar like Morant is on the block, everyone else becomes a "maybe."
Yahoo Sports’ Kelly Iko recently reported that rival executives believe Jackson could be the next domino to fall. Why? Because Memphis has seen massive production from their younger core—guys like Zach Edey and Cedric Coward—and they might be ready for a total hard reset.
For Portland, this is the "holy grail" scenario. Imagine a frontcourt pairing of Donovan Clingan and Jaren Jackson Jr. It’s a defensive nightmare for the rest of the league. You have Clingan’s massive frame and improving rim protection combined with Jackson’s elite mobility and floor spacing. It fits Cronin’s vision perfectly. Jackson is only 26. He fits the timeline of Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara. If the Grizzlies actually pull the trigger on a Morant trade, Portland needs to be the first call on their log.
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The Jerami Grant Dilemma: Value vs. Stability
Jerami Grant is the name that won't go away. He’s 31, he’s productive, and he’s the "odd man out" in a rotation that is getting younger by the minute.
Grant has been out since mid-December with achilles tendinitis, and the wild part? Portland has kept winning without him. Kris Murray and Toumani Camara have stepped up, and Deni Avdija has evolved into a legitimate franchise cornerstone.
The Golden State Warriors are the team to watch here. They’ve been trying to move Jonathan Kuminga since the summer, and Kevin O’Connor has linked Portland as a potential suitor. The trade logic is simple:
- Warriors get: A veteran who can shoot 39% from deep and defend multiple positions (Grant).
- Blazers get: A high-upside 23-year-old in Kuminga who can do the "gritty work" and fits the long-term window.
But there’s a risk. Grant provides a level of professional stability that’s hard to replace. If you trade him for Kuminga, you’re betting on Kuminga’s potential over Grant’s proven (if aging) production. Some insiders, like Andrew Hughes, argue that trading Grant just to "get worse" for a better draft pick is a mistake. The Blazers didn't pay Shaedon Sharpe $90 million to keep losing. They want to win now.
What’s Happening With the Old Guard?
Remember the Anfernee Simons era? It feels like forever ago, but it was only last year. Simons is currently in Boston, and his $27.6 million expiring contract is one of the biggest trade chips in the league right now. The Celtics are reportedly looking to use that salary to find frontcourt help while they wait for Jayson Tatum to recover from his torn Achilles.
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Then there’s Robert Williams III. "Time Lord" has been surprisingly healthy lately, putting up solid numbers like his 11-point, 8-rebound performance against the Warriors on January 13. The Knicks and the Celtics (again) are rumored to be sniffing around.
The Knicks are desperate for a big man, but Williams’ $13.3 million salary is a tough match for them. Portland isn't in a rush to move him, though. He’s the defensive anchor of the second unit, and unless someone overpays with a first-round pick, Cronin seems content to let him keep rebuilding his trade value.
The Moves to Avoid: Don't Rock the Boat Too Hard
Every trade deadline has "trap trades." For Portland, that trap has two names: Ja Morant and James Harden.
Let’s be real. Ja Morant is a generational talent. But the baggage—the suspensions, the injuries, the massive contract—is exactly what this Blazers locker room doesn't need. This team is finally "controversy-free," and adding Morant’s volatility could blow up the chemistry that guys like Jrue Holiday (currently nursing a calf injury) have helped build.
The same goes for James Harden. The Clippers are a disaster (6-19 start!), and they’re looking to dump veterans. Harden’s name has been whispered in Rip City circles, but it makes zero sense. The backcourt duo of Sharpe and Avdija is working. Why bring in a ball-dominant vet who might check out in six months?
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What Most People Get Wrong About Portland’s Strategy
National media keeps waiting for Portland to "pick a lane." Are they rebuilding or competing?
The truth is, they’re doing both. They aren't trying to be the 2024 Pistons. They want to be the 2022 Thunder—a team that is competitive every night while collecting assets.
The 2026 draft pick is a huge factor here. If the pick falls outside the lottery, it goes to Chicago. There’s roughly a 30% chance of that happening right now. Some analysts suggest unloading Grant to ensure they stay in the lottery, but that feels like a loser's mentality. This roster is too talented to bottom out on purpose.
Actionable Insights for the Trade Deadline:
- Monitor the Grizzlies: If Ja Morant moves, Jaren Jackson Jr. becomes the primary target. Portland has the young players (Scoot Henderson, etc.) and picks to make a compelling offer.
- The Kuminga Factor: Expect the Warriors to make a push for Jerami Grant before February 5. If Portland can get Kuminga without giving up a first-round pick, they should pull the trigger.
- Robert Williams III's Health: Every game he plays without an injury increase his value. If he's still healthy by February 1, expect a late-night "Woj bomb" involving a contender like the Knicks.
- Hold the Core: Unless it's a superstar-level talent like JJJ, don't trade Deni Avdija or Shaedon Sharpe. They are the future and the present.
The next few weeks will define the next five years of Blazers basketball. It's a high-stakes game of poker, and Joe Cronin has a surprisingly strong hand.
Keep a close eye on the injury reports for Grant and Holiday. If they return to the court before the deadline and look sharp, their trade value hits its peak. If not, Portland might just stand pat and trust the kids to carry them into the play-in tournament. Either way, Rip City is finally fun again.