Honestly, being a fan of this team usually feels like waiting for a bus that’s already three blocks past your stop. But right now? The vibe around the Moda Center is... weirdly optimistic? Even with the January rain dumping on the Willamette, the Portland Trail Blazers news and rumors mill is actually churning with some substance for once. We aren’t just talking about "maybe we’ll get a second-round pick for a backup guard." We’re talking about a front office that might—just might—be ready to act like a buyer.
General Manager Joe Cronin has a reputation for being the "patient" guy. He sits out the chaos. Last year, when the Luka Doncic trade blew up the league, Portland just watched from the sidelines. But 2026 feels like a pivot point. The Blazers are sniffing a playoff spot in a Western Conference that’s basically a meat grinder, and they’re doing it while missing some of their biggest pieces.
The Deni Avdija Factor and the Next Man Up
Deni Avdija has been a revelation, but his lower-back soreness has kept him sidelined recently. It's a bummer because he was averaging 26.1 points and nearly 7 assists before the tweak. When your best player goes down, you usually expect a freefall. Instead, we saw Shaedon Sharpe step up against the Hawks on Thursday night with 24 points.
Shaedon is such a fascinating case. For years, we’ve begged for the playmaking to catch up to the athleticism. In December, he was a flamethrower from deep (44%). In January, the shooting has dipped, but the passing is actually there. He had seven assists against Utah. Seven! If he can keep the ball moving while Deni is out, this offense doesn't have to crater.
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What's the deal with the coaching staff?
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. Or rather, the guy who isn't in the room. Chauncey Billups is currently suspended indefinitely following those federal gambling allegations back in October. It’s a mess. Tiago Splitter has been the acting head coach, and frankly, he’s doing a hell of a job keeping the ship upright.
There’s some chatter about whether Billups ever actually returns to the bench. While his contract was extended recently, the legal cloud is thick. Splitter has leaned into a defensive identity—lots of length, lots of switching. Even if the defensive rating (19th in the league) doesn't scream "elite," they look way more organized than they did a year ago.
The Trade Deadline Rumors: Buying or Selling?
The Feb. 5 deadline is looming. Usually, "Portland Trail Blazers news and rumors" at this time of year involve "How many picks can we get for Jerami Grant?" This year is different.
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- The Robert Williams III Situation: "Time Lord" is finally healthy-ish. He’s played 23 games, which is a miracle in itself. He’s on an expiring $13.3 million deal. Teams like Phoenix are sniffing around, but with Donovan Clingan emerging as the real deal at center, Williams is the ultimate trade chip.
- The Jaren Jackson Jr. Pipe Dream: There is actual buzz—serious or not—about Portland looking at JJJ from Memphis. Imagine a frontcourt of Jaren Jackson Jr. and Donovan Clingan. Nobody is scoring in the paint. Ever.
- Anfernee Simons is... gone? Yeah, if you haven't been keeping up, Simons is in Boston now. He just dropped 39 on the Heat. It hurts to see him go, but getting Jrue Holiday back in that mix was a "win-now" move that signaled Cronin is done with the 20-win seasons.
The Scoot Henderson Slog
It’s tough to watch Scoot right now. The hamstring tear early in the season really robbed him of that "Year 3 Leap" momentum. He’s averaging about 10.8 points, which is actually a drop from his rookie year.
The efficiency is still the bugaboo. Shooting under 40% from the field in 2026 is a death sentence for a starting guard. There’s a lot of "Dennis Smith Jr. vibes" starting to circulate in the national media, which feels harsh, but the NBA is a "what have you done lately" league. He needs a strong February to silence the "bust" talk.
Looking at the Future (and the Draft)
Portland still owes a protected first-round pick to Chicago from that ancient Larry Nance Jr. trade. It’s lottery-protected through 2028. This is the catch-22: if the Blazers make the playoffs this year, that pick finally conveys to the Bulls, and Portland is "free" to trade their future firsts again.
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Upcoming Draft Assets:
- 2026 First Round: Their own (if it's not in the lottery, it goes to Chicago).
- 2026 Second Round: Via Memphis.
- 2027 First Round: Their own.
The front office took a massive swing on Yang Hansen in the last draft. He’s been putting up 17 and 9 in the G League. He’s a project, but he’s a "point-center" type that has the fans in Rip City drooling. Between Hansen and Clingan, the future of the Blazers' frontcourt is huge, literally.
Actionable Insights for the Trade Deadline
If you're tracking the Blazers over the next three weeks, keep your eyes on the "buy" market. For the first time in years, the Portland Trail Blazers news and rumors aren't just about dumping salary.
- Watch the "Time Lord" minutes: If Robert Williams III starts getting "DNP - Rest" or very low minutes, a trade is imminent.
- Monitor Deni's back: If he stays out past the end of January, the Blazers might be forced to trade for a wing scorer just to stay in the play-in hunt.
- Keep an eye on the Grizzlies: Memphis is underachieving. If they decide to pivot, Portland has the young players (Kris Murray, Rayan Rupert) and picks to make a compelling offer for a veteran star.
The days of tanking for Ping-Pong balls seem to be in the rearview. Whether that's the right move long-term is still up for debate, but for now, the Blazers are actually playing games that matter in January. That’s a win in itself.
Check the injury report before the next home stand. If Jerami Grant and Deni Avdija are both back in the starting five, this team has the length to bother anyone in the West. Don't be surprised if Joe Cronin actually pulls the trigger on a "win-now" move before the Feb. 5 buzzer.