With their thrilling win over the Houston Rockets, the Portland Trail Blazers have now won six of their last seven games. Given their hot play as of late and Deni Avdija's star ascension, it's suddenly become much easier to justify their position as buyers leading up to the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
ESPN's Kevin Pelton recently suggested this, noting Portland should buy at the deadline. The direction is clear, but who or what the Blazers need isn't as obvious for a roster that hasn't been at full strength this entire season, particularly in the backcourt.
"Any question of whether Portland might look to trade away key pieces at the deadline has been extinguished by five wins in its past six games, a run that had moved the Blazers into ninth in the West.