As the NBA trade deadline approaches on February 5, the Portland Trail Blazers made a subtle but interesting move, acquiring sharpshooting guard Vit Krejci from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for center Duop Reath and two future second-round picks.
This was never going to be the kind of deal that shakes up the Western Conference. But for a Blazers team hovering around ninth place and very much in the play-in mix, it feels like a smart bet on improving now rather than punting the season away.
Krejci, a 25-year-old Czech guard standing 6-foot-8, brings exactly what Portland has been missing. Shooting. The Blazers rank dead last in the NBA at 33.6 percent from three, and Krejci immediately helps address that problem. In 22.3 minutes per game this season, he is averaging 9.0 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists while knocking down 2.2 threes per night at a scorching 42.3 percent. That puts him inside the league’s top 20 in three-point percentage.
It gets even better when you dig into the shot profile. Krejci is hitting 44.6 percent on catch-and-shoot attempts, ranking 16th among players with at least 100 tries. This is not a fluke either. Over the last three seasons, he has consistently hovered north of 40 percent from deep, slowly carving out a reputation as a reliable rotation shooter rather than a fringe piece.
The contract only sweetens the deal. Krejci is locked into a four-year, $10.2 million contract, with two seasons remaining after this one. The third year is non-guaranteed, and the fourth is a team option. At just $2.35 million this season, Portland adds shooting, gets younger by moving on from the 29-year-old Reath, and does it all without touching real cap flexibility.
Krejci is not an elite athlete, but his length fits Portland’s preference for bigger, versatile guards and wings. Offensively, he plays within himself, moves the ball, and can handle secondary playmaking duties when needed. His quick release, whether off the catch, off the dribble, or on step-backs, should help open driving lanes for players like Deni Avdija and Jrue Holiday. Defensively, he competes and understands team concepts, even if he is never going to be a lockdown stopper.
From Atlanta’s side, the return feels underwhelming. Reath is out for the season after foot surgery to repair a stress fracture and was already playing limited minutes. He averaged just 2.9 points and 1.2 rebounds in under eight minutes per game and is on an expiring deal as a restricted free agent. The Hawks may ultimately waive him to open a roster spot.
That leaves the two second-round picks as the real value. One is Atlanta’s own 2027 pick, and the other is a 2030 pick via the New York Knicks. With seven future second-rounders now in hand, Atlanta appears to be stockpiling assets for future flexibility. Still, giving up a cheap, productive shooter raises eyebrows, especially after moving Trae Young for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, which crowded an already packed backcourt and pushed Krejci out of the rotation.
For Portland, the message is clear. This is not a tank. GM Joe Cronin has stayed relatively quiet, but acquiring a cost-controlled shooter with upside signals a desire to stay competitive while the play-in remains realistic. It is a low-risk move. Reath was not playing meaningful minutes, and the outgoing picks project to be mid-to-late seconds years down the line.
This trade will not turn the Blazers into contenders, but it shores up a glaring weakness and adds real bench value. That is worth something. Call it a B+ for Portland, a small but satisfying win that could swing a game or two when the threes start falling. For Atlanta, it feels closer to a C. Sensible housekeeping, but one that could look worse if Krejci continues to grow.
With the deadline nearing, this may just be the appetizer. Whether a bigger move follows or not, Krejci’s arrival brings a little optimism to a season that has been more grind than glory. Rip City fans should keep an eye on the perimeter. Portland just got a little sharper.
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