Blazers Notes: Trade Chatter, Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic

The Trail Blazers are “absolutely in buying mode” ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, per Brian Windhorst of ESPN, via RealGM.

“They are attempting to add pieces. I’ve heard them attached to some role playing bench players they’re interested in,’ Windhorst said on The Hoop Collective podcast.

Portland could potentially add just a player around the edges, or a possible starter, such as Raptors forward OG Anunoby, one of the hottest names on the rumor mill.

As an aside, Blazers guard Josh Hart is said to be available. He has already been linked to the Cavaliers, as well as several others.

“If Anunoby became available, I think they would be very interested,” Windhorst said. “You would probably start an offer there with Shaedon Sharpe, their lottery pick they got out of Kentucky.”

The Blazers are also among the teams linked to Suns forward Jae Crowder, who has yet to play this season.

• In case you missed it, All-Star guard Damian Lillard will take part in the 3-point competition on All-Star Saturday, as we relayed here. The league is expected to make it official next week. Lillard has been named to the All-Star team seven times.
• Center Jusuf Nurkic is expected to return following the All-Star break after suffering a left calf strain Wednesday vs. the Grizzlies, the team announced. An MRI revealed the extent of the injury.
• Be sure to keep up with all the Blazers news on our team page right here.

Dame’s game is so sharp right now. The counters and middy super elite.

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— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) February 2, 2023