The Trail Blazers have emerged as a “strong suitor” for Jazz forward Jarred Vanderbilt, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reports (Twitter video link).
Portland is one of several teams showing interest in Vanderbilt, according to Charania, who says the 23-year-old appears increasingly likely to be on the move prior to the February 9 trade deadline.
When Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard was asked in September about players he’d like to team up with – outside of obvious stars – he singled out Vanderbilt, as well as Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby. Bridges isn’t currently available, while Anunoby would likely require a huge trade haul, but Vanderbilt might be more attainable.
Vanderbilt doesn’t have much of an offensive game — his 8.5 points per game in 2022-23 represent a career high and he has made just 22 career three-pointers (19 this season). However, he’s a strong, versatile defender who contributes in many ways beyond scoring. He has averaged 7.8 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and 1.0 steals in 24.2 minutes per game (51 games) for the Jazz this season after arriving in Utah as part of the Rudy Gobert trade.
Vanderbilt, who has also been linked to the Hawks and Suns, is also on a team-friendly contract, earning just $4.4M this season and $4.7MM in 2023-24 before becoming an unrestricted free agent. He’ll be extension-eligible during the 2023 offseason.
The Jazz have reportedly sought a first-round pick for Vanderbilt. Portland could theoretically meet that asking price, though the pick would have to be conditional, since the 2023 first-rounder the Blazers owe Chicago is lottery-protected through 2028. The Stepien rule prohibits the Blazers from trading first-rounders in consecutive future seasons, but Portland could agree to send Utah a first-rounder two years after its pick conveys to the Bulls.
Justise Winslow, who is earning $4.1M on an expiring contract, and Keon Johnson, earning $2.68M in the second year of his rookie scale deal, are among the salary-matching pieces the Blazers could include in an offer for Vanderbilt.
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