The Portland Trail Blazers are one of the many teams that are in the thick of the NBA playoff race in a very congested Western Conference. Portland is currently in 11th place with a record of 25-26, but they are only 4.5 games behind the third-place Sacramento Kings.
One run and the Trail Blazers could be in business, making a push up the standings. That is what makes the next week so important as teams will pursue trades to upgrade their rosters and try to separate from the pack.
That is the course of action that Portland’s front office is taking, as they are open to plenty of trade ideas. Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons, Jerami Grant, and rookie Shaedon Sharpe seem to be the only players they are unwilling to discuss in trade negotiations; everyone else is free game.
Josh Hart has been mentioned most often as a potential trade chip along with center Jusuf Nurkic. Hart is being looked at as an expiring deal as many presume he will opt out of his contract this offseason while Nurkic is in the first season of a four-year, $70 million extension.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jarred Vanderbilt, Utah Jazz & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Who have the Trail Blazers set their targets on to acquire? According to Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, Jarred Vanderbilt of the Utah Jazz is their guy. Portland has emerged as a strong suitor for Vanderbilt, who has a robust market. He looks likely to be on the move ahead of the deadline on February 9th.
Vanderbilt was one of the players that the Jazz acquired as part of the Rudy Gobert blockbuster this past offseason. On a very team-friendly contract, it comes as no surprise that plenty of suitors are lining up to attempt to trade for him.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jarred Vanderbilt, Utah Jazz & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
On the season, Vanderbilt is averaging 8.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 24.2 minutes per game. He is a bit of a throwback power forward, bringing toughness and defensive versatility to the frontcourt. Any team looking for a stout rebounder who is just scratching the surface of his potential offensively will be looking into Vanderbilt.
