Portland Trail Blazers: 3 players most likely to be traded before deadline

1. Al-Farouq Aminu

Al-Farouq Aminu has been one the Portland Trail Blazers’ most productive role players. He has averaged 9.5 points and 7.2 rebounds per game over his four seasons in Rip City. He has also accumulated the team’s third-highest Value Over Replacement Player and third-most Win Shares since his arrival.

Aminu is Portland’s best 3-and-D player. He is capable of rebounding and stretching the floor and defending. The Chief is averaging 8.1 rebounds per game and shooting 35.5 percent from 3-point range this season. His 1.41 Defensive Real Plus-Minus is second-best on the team.

That is the exact type of talent and consistency other teams want more of on their roster. The Trail Blazers may be willing to part with him for the right price.

A deal that involves Aminu would make sense from a contract standpoint. He will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, giving teams the chance to take a test drive on him before deciding if they want to re-sign him in the offseason.

The Portland Trail Blazers were in this position last season with Ed Davis. In that instance, Davis was retained past the trade deadline and allowed to walk in the summer. If the Blazers really want to fortify their roster ahead of the Feb. 7 trade deadline, Al-Farouq Aminu is their best trade asset due to his skills and contract flexibility.