We here in Rip City sure love our scrappy backup point guards. From Seth Curry to Shabazz Napier, these players always seem to be fan-favorites. Considering Jrue Holiday is still working his way back from a calf strain, former San Antonio Spur Blake Wesley is out for the season with a broken foot, and Scoot Henderson still hasn’t made his season debut from a hamstring tear, the position needs an injection of fresh blood. While Caleb Love has been a nice story, he’s more of a two guard in a point guard’s body (and he’s never met a shot he didn’t like). Deni Avdija has been a revelation with the ball in his hands as a point forward, but when he sits, there’s a noticeable lack of playmaking and shot creation.
Luckily, the league is full of intriguing options—from defensive pests to scoring dynamos—who may be had in trades. Let’s have some fun imagining a few players that the Trail Blazers faithful would grow to love.
Ayo Dosunmu (Chicago Bulls)
Dosunmu has blossomed into a reliable two‑way guard. This season, he’s averaging 15.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 2.9 assists on 54.5% shooting and 47.8% from three. His defensive energy and efficient scoring make him a perfect complementary piece. Contract‑wise, he’s locked into a 3‑year, $21 million deal through 2026, with a cap hit of about $7.5 million in 2025‑26. For Portland, Dosunmu would be a cost‑controlled hustle player who could slot in seamlessly.
Anthony Black (Orlando Magic)
Black is still early in his career, but his size (6’7”) and vision stand out. He’s putting up 13.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 47.7% from the field. His rookie‑scale contract makes him attractive: 4 years, $32.9 million, fully guaranteed, running through 2027. The Magic have a crowded backcourt, so if they ever look to balance their roster, Portland could swoop in. Black would give the Blazers a futuristic jumbo guard to grow alongside Scoot, wing Shaedon Sharpe, and young big man Donovan Clingan.
Colin Sexton (Charlotte Hornets)
Sexton remains a scoring machine. He’s averaging 16.2 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.1 rebounds on 48.8% shooting this season. His fearless attacking style could give Portland a microwave scorer off the bench. Financially, Sexton is on a 4‑year, $70.95 million contract signed in 2022, with a cap hit of $18.975 million in 2025‑26. That’s a hefty salary, but his scoring punch might be worth the investment if Portland wants instant offense.
Jaden Ivey (Detroit Pistons)
This one is a dream scenario. Ivey has battled injury in his short time in the NBA, but he offers a level of explosiveness, athleticism, and star potential not currently on the roster. His career averagesaret 15.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, with 35.2% from three. This season, he’s been a bit inconsistent (8.2 points in limited minutes early on), but his upside is undeniable. His rookie deal is team‑friendly: 4 years, $32.95 million, with a $10.1 million salary in 2025‑26 and a qualifying offer of $13.4 million in 2026‑27. The Pistons have Cade Cunningham as their face of the franchise, which relegates Ivey to an off-ball role. While Henderson is on the mend, Ivey could be given the keys to the offense, where he’s thrived previously. And when Scoot comes back, the thought of him and Ivey racing up and down the floor as one of the fastest pairings in the league would be pure adrenaline to fans. It might not be realistic, but dreaming is half the fun when it comes to trades.
Jose Alvarado (New Orleans Pelicans)
“Grand Theft Alvarado” is beloved for his sneaky steals and relentless defense. He’s averaging 8.7 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists this season, shooting 41.3% from the field and 35.1% from three. His contract is modest compared to others: around $9 million annually, with free agency looming in 2026. For Portland, Alvarado would bring chaos, energy, and fan‑favorite antics — the kind of player who changes the vibe of a game.
Keon Ellis (Sacramento Kings)
Ellis is a rising defensive guard who’s quietly making waves. He’s averaging 5.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists this season, shooting 42.9% from the field and 41.5% from three. His contract is a bargain: 3 years, $5.1 million through 2026, with a $2.3 million salary in 2025‑26. For Portland, Ellis would be a low‑risk, high‑reward addition—a defensive pest who spaces the floor without demanding touches. He’s the kind of player who helps win games in the margins, and his value contract makes him especially appealing.
Kris Dunn (Los Angeles Clippers)
Dunn has reinvented himself as a defensive specialist. This season, he’s averaging 7.8 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.6 assists on 49.2% shooting, with 36% from three. His contract is team‑friendly: 3 years, $16.27 million, with a $5.4 million salary in 2025‑26 and a team option for 2026‑27. Dunn’s steady presence and defensive chops would make him a valuable mentor for Portland’s young roster.
The Blazers don’t need to chase a superstar point guard right now—they already have Henderson as their future. What they do need is depth, leadership, and variety. Dosunmu brings hustle, Black brings size and vision, Sexton brings scoring, Ivey brings upside, Alvarado brings chaos, Dunn brings stability, and Ellis brings bargain‑priced defense and shooting. Each one offers a different flavor, and together they paint a picture of how Portland could reshape its backcourt.
Whether the Blazers actually make a move for any of these guards is anyone’s guess. But imagining the possibilities is part of the fun of being a fan. In a season where wins might be scarce, dreaming about trades and future lineups keeps hope alive. And who knows—maybe one of these names will be wearing black and red sooner than we think.
Be the first to comment