NBA Trade Rumors: Blazers Open to Discussing Josh Hart, Jusuf Nurkić Deals

As the Portland Trail Blazers look for ways to get back into the playoff mix in the Western Conference, they are at least open to discussing trades involving some of their key veteran players.

Per Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer, rival teams are under the impression the Blazers are "open to discussing" a majority of players on their roster, particularly Josh Hart and Jusuf Nurkić.

Fischer noted Portland is "committed to building a playoff contender" around Damian Lillard. The six-time All-Star signed a two-year max extension in July that ties him to the organization through the 2025-26 season with a player option for 2026-27.

Jerami Grant, who is in the final season of his current deal, doesn't appear to be one of the players Portland would consider dealing.

Fischer wrote the Blazers have already offered him a four-year, $112 million extension that he hasn't accepted "largely" because he can receive a larger offer from them this summer.

After winning 10 of their first 14 games to start the season, the Blazers have gone 13-21 in their last 34 games and are two games under .500.

Hart could be an attractive trade chip because he's having a solid season and could be in the final season of his contract. The 27-year-old is averaging 9.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in 46 starts.

According to Fischer, Hart is expected to decline his $12.96 million player option for next season and become a free agent.

Nurkić's trade value could be complicated because of his contract status. He is in the first season of a four-year, $70 million deal that was signed in July. The contract will pay him $16.875 million next season, $18.125 million in 2024-25 and $19.375 million in 2025-26.

This is the first season that Nurkić has been nearly fully healthy since 2018-19. He was on his way to having a healthy season last year before a bout of plantar fasciitis in his left foot shut him down for the final 23 games.

Nurkić is currently averaging 14.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in 43 starts.

The Blazers' 23-25 record is tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder for 11th in the Western Conference. They are only 2.5 games behind the New Orleans Pelicans for the No. 4 seed.