Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh at the sidelines during a game last season. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Portland Trail Blazers is one team that's usually under the radar of NBA trade rumors, but they have placed themselves in a good position to pounce. An impending trade for a superstar frontliner is on the horizon.
Even as the offseason began, the Blazers were already "primed to make a trade" and were also involved in trade rumors for Blake Griffin when the punching incident took place.
The team has spent all of its cap space to ensure they retain their free agents, specifically Allen Crabbe and also the huge, deserved extension for CJ McCollum. They managed to address their center void with Festus Ezeli of the Golden State Warriors, but as the NBA Finals revealed, he is still a very limited player.
Portland is a frontline star away from forming their own Big Three as the "Splash Brothers lite" have become a legitimate NBA duo. GM Neil Olshey failed to make a big free agency splash (unless you count Evan Turner, but it's only huge in terms of monetary value) but Olshey ensured that the keep the pieces ready.
SB Nation team blog Blazer's Edge is already anticipating the moves that their team would make.
"With Portland unable, as yet, to attract a top-level free agent, the draft and the trade markets are the best ways to upgrade the roster. With Olshey sitting on a stash of good young talent, he has the flexibility to swing for the fences and swap out some of his depth for proven high-level talent," Peter Sampson of BE wrote.
Griffin is a legitimate target but the Blazers will definitely need assurance that he would re-sign before they even consider. Kevin Love has also been a target since his Minnesota days, especially since he is actually an Oregon native.
An emerging target is Chris Bosh. His versatility, quickness and three point range is a perfect fit for Portland and it appears he may get a clean bill of health. According to ESPN, the Heat has included Bosh in their promotional campaigns for ticket sales and will "re-evaluate Bosh's situation at some point in late August or September, presumably before the start of training camp."
The Blazers have pieces that the Cavs need. They have big men who can defend like Ed Davis or Mason Plumlee. Other pieces like Allen Crabbe or Mo Harkless can fill the void of the Clippers and the Heat. With these assets, the Portland Trail Blazers is the team to watch.
