Finishing off their third consecutive "tanking" season, ESPN's Brian Windhorst reports that the sentiment within the Blazers organization surrounds the notion that the team is ready to make a postseason push – and sooner rather than later.
Here's what he had to say on the matter:
“I actually think the Blazers are hoping, dare say, for a Rockets-like rebound, and I think they are hoping that next year they are competing for the playoffs,” Windhorst said. “I think that’s one of the reasons why you didn’t see Jerami Grant or Malcolm Brogdon (traded). Jerami Grant’s name wasn’t out there for an iota, that I heard, and Brogdon’s name never got serious.”
This explains their behavior at the trade deadline, where they stood pat despite having some obvious names that could be moved, including Brogdon, Grant, Thybulle, and Robert Williams.
Similar to what Houston did, as Windhorst writes, they could look to use their cap space to sign some quality free agents this offseason – just like the Rockets did with Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet.
How feasible a playoff push is next season remains in question, as while the squad has some talent, the Western Conference is competitive with nearly every team likely to be better next season, injuries notwithstanding.
A play-in push, however, feels very plausible. A new coach along with a healthier season from Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons should open the door to Portland at least having an upper-half offense, which could pilot a near-.500 record.
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