The Portland Trail Blazers started off the season as one of the best teams in the league, but after a slight rough patch, the team has limped into the All-Star break and now are fifth in the west and after some injuries, names like Brandon Bass, Chris Kaman, Kenneth Faried, Glen Davis, Greg Stiemsma and Thaddeus Young could be options at the trading deadline.
LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard were named to the All-Star team this season and for most of the year so far the Blazers were in the top three of the west, but they have faded over the past few weeks and now they are in fifth place in the standings at the break. Lillard is doing an event over All-Star weekend each night and he will be playing in the All-Star game and heading into the break, there are a few days left to get trades done before the February 20 deadline date.
The Blazers have been a balanced team for this season and they don't necessarily "need" a piece to make a playoff run, but it sure would help and a big man could provide some depth, while SI.com has reported that Andre Miller is also a name that could get involved. The Blazers are 36-17 on the season and are in fine position heading into the second half, but it's a big difference being in the bottom part of the west and right now the Oklahoma City Thunder have the edge in the division and the conference.
According to ESPN.com, the Lakers could trade Chris Kaman and while the team is limited right now with injuries and can't afford to lose him, as the deadline gets closer, they could pull the trigger. Kenneth Faried was made available over the summer and during the season by the Denver Nuggets and that could be a move to explore, as the team has Andre Miller along with him as possible trading chips. Glen Davis could be a second option if the other names don't work out, as the Orlando Magic are one of the worst in the league and they have Jameer Nelson and Arron Afflalo as players teams could target as well.
The Blazers have been one of the top ranked teams in the league in scoring and rebounding, but they could look to pull off a move after losing Joel Freeland to a knee injury. ESPN.com reports that Freeland could be out for up to two months and that will be a big hit on the frontcourt for the team and that could force them to pull off a move, even for a lesser player like Steisma, who signed with the team in the offseason. This season Freeland has been helping give depth for Robin Lopez and is averaging three points, four rebounds and nearly 15 minutes per game and the team is also dealing with an injury to Mo Williams after and all this comes after the team lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday.
