Why the Portland Trail Blazers Don't Need To Make Any Trades Now

Much has been said and written recently about the trade activity, or lack thereof, of the Portland Trail Blazers.  

They have been linked to trade rumors for Chris Paul, Tony Parker, and Devin Harris, among others, with many critics and fans complaining that something needs to be done in order to improve the team.

The alternate point of view, and the one being defended in this article, is that the Blazers are essentially fine where they are, and don't need to be rushing into any big trades simply for the sake of making a trade.  

The ideal purpose of making a trade is to achieve a player or players of greater value in return for player(s) who for some reason, be it chemistry issues, injury problems, or overall lack of fit, are no longer viewed as important to the long term plans of a team.

In any of the trade scenarios mentioned above, Portland would be receiving an star point guard. This would be wonderful but at what cost?

Taking on bloated contracts of players who don't necessarily fit the team's long-term needs?  

Giving up a number of young, talented players?  

Basketball is still a team sport, and taking on one star can't normally offset the loss of multiple talented role players.

So the question remains, then, are the Blazers good enough to get past the first round with essentially the same core group of players that couldn't do so the past two seasons?  

Yes, for a few very important reasons.

First, this is a team that lost players for more games due to injury last season than any other playoff team, by far.  

Brandon Roy and Nicolas Batum, the starting wing players, missed a combined 62 games last season, and Travis Outlaw, the team's former sixth man, missed the entire season before being traded to the Clippers.

Greg Oden and Joel Pryzbilla each missed the majority of the season with knee injuries, and the Blazers were forced to rely on veteran Juwan Howard as their starting center for multiple games.  

Rookies Dante Cunningham and Jeff Pendergraph were also forced to play meaningful minutes on multiple occasions as other players suffered injuries.

In spite of all this, the Blazers won 50 games. How many could they have won if even reasonably healthy?

Second, the Blazers are loaded with talent, and having young talent doesn't mean it needs to be traded.  

With a healthy, deep team, the Blazers can play and compete with multiple styles. Across the board, they have the makings of an elite playoff team for seasons to come.

At point guard, Andre Miller was one constant for an up and down season and can continue to be for at least the next season (or two).  

He is reliable and provides consistent leadership and scoring ability.  

At backup, Jerryd Bayless will continue to learn and be groomed for a starting job once Miller leaves the team.  

Chances are he will be successful once given a real opportunity and more meaningful minutes. And if that doesn't work, both Armon Johnson and (potentially) Patty Mills are waiting for an opportunity.

In regards to Patty Mills, if the Blazers want to keep him, they should find a way to buy out Rudy Fernandez, who is no longer comfortable in Portland, and sign Mills to the 15th roster spot.

At shooting guard and small forward, they are set both defensively and offensively with superstar Brandon Roy and rising star Nicolas Batum.

New team member Wesley Matthews will provide quality minutes as a sixth man, with Luke Babbitt and Elliot Williams also capable of stepping in and playing as needed.

Probably the biggest question for the Blazers is at the center position, but if healthy, they have one of the best front lines in the NBA.  

Greg Oden and LaMarcus Aldridge are both capable of All-Star quality seasons, and Marcus Camby is still a defensive force and a great rebounder.

If Oden and Camby struggle with injuries, the Blazers will still have Joel Pryzbilla, who has started for several years, coming back from injury at some point.

If somehow Oden and Camby can both stay healthy, then the expiring contract of Pryzbilla becomes a valuable trade asset.  

But not now, not with the uncertainty that is present over the health of the team.

The biggest reason not to needlessly meddle with the current Blazers roster is the "What if?" factor.  

No one really knows what this team is capable of when healthy, except that they are capable of matching up effectively with the reigning NBA champions, the Los Angeles Lakers.  

Maybe not in a seven-game playoff series, but are there really any viable moves that could be done to help now without draining the overall talent of the roster? 

Most people probably don't know that before the team's first and only NBA championship season in 1977, this franchise had never even finished a season with a winning record, much less been to the playoffs.

As with this current group, that team also struggled with injuries, but was patient and became NBA Champions.

The Blazers owe it to themselves and their fans to give the current roster of players another shot, to be healthy, to compete, and to see how good this group really can be.