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The Portland Trail Blazers’ so-so start has pundits and fans alike wondering what the team could do to get their season going. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst pointed out on “The Jump” that the Blazers currently hold the NBA’s highest team payroll (including “dead” money) at $145 million, and said that executives around the league believe the team’s contracts could make them an active trade suitor:
“When I’ve talked to executives out there seeing this [the Blazers’ high payroll], they believe that the Blazers are going to be active in the trade market as the season goes on.”
Windhorst highlighted the big expiring contracts of Hassan Whiteside and Kent Bazemore as pieces the team could use in a trade, along with younger players and draft picks. The ESPN expert then offered Danilo Gallinari as someone to watch, saying that he thinks Gallinari is “more acquirable” in a trade than Kevin Love.
You can watch the full Blazers segment of “The Jump” here:
Is the Blazers' problem injuries? Or a lack of continuity? Either way, Tracy McGrady & @WindhorstESPN want Portland to get on the phone to OKC and make a deal for Danilo Gallinari. pic.twitter.com/ueJZyfvHuN
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) November 5, 2019