The Portland Trail Blazers have a real chance to snap their four-year playoff drought. However, the Trail Blazers appear to have another goal in mind as the NBA trade deadline approaches. And the Blazers may have tipped their hand with their trade for Vit Krejci.
Trail Blazers Look Towards Future With Acquisition Of Young Big Guard, Have Specific Goal For Other Trades Before Deadline
Portland, which last made the playoffs during the 2020-21 campaign, sits in ninth place in the Western Conference with a 23-26 record. The Trail Blazers, who have dealt with injuries throughout the season and still haven’t had a full squad, enter tonight’s game against Cleveland on a four-game losing streak. The Trail Blazers have lost six of 10 overall and have the Los Angeles Clippers right on their heels, though they are four games clear of 1th-place Dallas.
Even though the Trail Blazers have a chance to end their playoff drought, the four-year stretch is the third-longest in franchise history, and they appear to be more focused on the future. The Blazers took a step in building their depth by acquiring Krejci from the Atlanta Hawks earlier this afternoon. The Blazers sent Duop Reath, who recently underwent season-ending foot surgery, and a second-round pick to the Hawks. Michael Scotto of Hoopshype.com reported that the two second-round selections that the Hawks received are their own 2027 pick and New York’s 2030 choice.
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What Does Vit Krejci Bring To The Trail Blazers
Krejci is in the midst of a career year, but became expendable after the Hawks acquired Corey Kipert from Washington in the Trae Young trade. The 6-8 guard averaged 9.0 points and 2.2 treys with shooting splits of 46.4/42.3/75 in 48 games for the Hawks. He also scored in double-figures in 18 contests, including four 20-point efforts,
Krejci is best suited to play either backcourt spot, but is versatile enough to play 1 through 4. The 25-year-old figures to be Jrue Holiday’s primary backup at least until Scoot Henderson is cleared to return. Even when the Blazers get healthy, Krejci figures to have a role on the second unit due to his shooting ability.
Besides Henderson, Jrue Holiday, Kris Murray, and Mattise Thybulle remain out against the Cavaliers. Blake Wesley, Robert Williams III, and Deni Avdija are questionable.
Krejci is an elite-level shooter off the catch, specializing in 3-pointers, though he is efficient inside the arc as well. Krejci averages 1.4 threes a contest at 40.5% for his career. The Trail Blazers attempt the third-most threes per game in the league, but they are just 12th in makes and dead last in 3-point percentage at 33.6%. He is also a capable secondary playmaker, which the Blazers also need as they are 28th in the league in assists.
More importantly, Krejci is under control for two more seasons. Krejci’s 2026-27 ($2.6 million) contract is non-guaranteed,d and his $3.0 million salary for 2027-28 is a team option. ESPN’s Bobby Marks said Krejci is extension-eligible in July.
What Is Next For The Trail Blazers?
Portland has 15 players on standard contracts with salaries totaling $188.1 million. That puts the Trail Blazers $1.3 million below the NBA’s tax line. Marks added that the Blazers’ goal over the next few days is to create two open roster spots to promote Caleb Love and Sidy Cissoko. Cissoko has seven games of eligibility left, while Love has 10 under their two-way deals.
Holiday, Williams III, Jerami Grant, and Thybulle are potential trade candidates. According to Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints, the Blazers have been actively shopping Williams.
“For the Trail Blazers, acquiring Krejci is their first move before the trade deadline, as the team has been shopping veteran center Robert Williams III,” Siegel said. “Williams is caught up in a long list of center targets for playoff-contending teams in both conferences.”
Williams has a $13.2 million cap hit and is on an expiring contract. Even if Williams is the only player that the Blazers can dump, Wesley and Rayan Rupert would be potential buyout candidates.