The Portland Trail Blazers are entering a pivotal offseason that could make or break the team’s trajectory as they continue rebuilding. Stocked with four draft picks, including two in the lottery, they can reshape their roster and address multiple glaring needs in the upcoming NBA Draft.

However, they likely won’t be content only rebuilding through the draft; this is a prime opportunity for them to trade away some of their veteran pieces in exchange for younger, up-and-coming players that better fit their timeline.

When identifying potential trade partners, it’s essential to consider teams with a reason to shake things up. Whether it’s teams that fell short of expectations in the playoffs and need another piece to push them over the top or teams that are stuck in “no man’s land” and want to accelerate their rebuilding process.

The following five players’ teams fit one of those criteria and are part of various trade rumors that could happen this summer. These players could also be considered “sleepers” because they aren’t blockbuster names. The Blazers could acquire them for a reasonable price, given their team’s circumstances. Additionally, they are ideal matches for the Blazers’ rebuilding timeline and their team needs.

1. Keldon Johnson

All eyes are on the San Antonio Spurs entering the offseason following Victor Wembanyama’s historic rookie season. Wembanyama entered last year’s draft as a generational prospect but has already ascended to an All-Star-level talent heading into his second year. The Spurs, equipped with the No. 4 and No. 8 draft picks in the 2024 NBA Draft, could make a trade to surround Wembanyama with more talent.

They don’t necessarily have to be patient with their rebuild anymore since they have already found their elite prospect to build around. Now, it’s a matter of surrounding Wembanyama with the right pieces. If they don’t deem Keldon Johnson to be part of that equation, then he’s someone that Portland should take a hard look at.

Johnson, at 24 years old, still hasn’t entered his prime but already plays like an NBA veteran. He has a high basketball IQ and even has team Olympic experience, representing Team USA at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. This season, the Spurs forward averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 0.7 steals per game on 45/35/79 shooting splits. His numbers regressed this season compared to last, but that’s mainly due to his decreased role and the emergence of Wembanyama as the focal point of the offense.

Johnson is an elite role piece because of his versatility and decision-making skills. Finishing last in the Western Conference, the Blazers need help in multiple areas. Johnson’s well-rounded play and ability to contribute in various facets could boost their overall level of play.

2. Corey Kispert

Portland’s most significant need to address this offseason is shooting, and Corey Kispert could be an excellent addition to help in that department. Kispert averaged 13.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.5 steals per game on 48/38/73 shooting splits with the Washington Wizards this season. Kispert’s 72.6 free throw shooting percentage was undoubtedly an anomaly after shooting above 85 percent from the charity stripe his previous two seasons.

There’s also a Pacific Northwest element that could make Kispert excited about a trade to Portland, having grown up in Washington and played at Gonzaga. Despite being a first-team All-American at Gonzaga, Kispert fell to No. 15 in the 2021 NBA Draft. Some of that had to do with the fact that he was a senior entering the draft, meaning that teams were concerned that he didn’t have as much room to develop as the other prospects.

To his credit, Kispert has shown gradual improvement each season and is still only 25 years old. He would fit nicely with the Blazers’ timeline as he continues to develop a more well-rounded game outside of shooting. At 6-foot-6, Kispert has good positional size. His frame and outside shooting would complement the Blazers’ backcourt well since they have undersized guards who aren’t yet great shooters.

The Washington Wizards still seek a team identity and could be open to shaking up their roster. While Kispert isn’t going to make the Blazers playoff contenders single-handedly, he could be an underrated addition in terms of being reasonable price and fitting the Blazers’ needs and timeline.

3. Isaac Okoro

The Clevland Cavaliers have multiple trade rumors surrounding the team after a second-round playoff exit. Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley seem to be the only safe players. Cleveland is open to moving just about anyone on their roster for the right price.

No one expected them to beat the Boston Celtics, so in a sense, they didn’t have a disappointing season; they just met expectations. But that’s also part of the problem – this Cavaliers roster isn’t ready for a deep playoff run, and they need to try something different heading into next season.

Isaac Okoro is the Cavaliers player that the Blazers should inquire about. Okoro was selected No. 5 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, coming out of Auburn. He entered as a defensive-minded prospect – a switchable wing with a 6-foot-5 frame. One underrated aspect of Okoro’s game that has come around since entering the league is his shooting. Okoro shot 29 percent from three in his rookie season, but this past season, he connected on an impressive 39 percent of his three-point attempts.

His overall stats this season were 9.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 0.8 steals per game. While Okoro likely will never be considered an elite shooter, he’s already drastically improved since coming into the league and is only 23 years old. The Blazers need another two-way wing that can space the floor. Now that Okoro can shoot, he could be an ideal match to grow alongside their core pieces.

4. De’Andre Hunter

Even if a player floating around in trade rumors doesn’t fit the Blazers’ team needs, Portland should look at that team’s roster and find another piece that could be a good fit for them, potentially getting involved in another three-team trade. Enter De’Andre Hunter and the Atlanta Hawks’ situation with Trae Young and Dejounte Murray.

Hunter isn’t necessarily a traditional sleeper. He was the fourth overall pick out of Virginia in the 2019 NBA Draft and signed a four-year, $95 million contract extension with the Hawks in 2022. But he’s flown under the radar in many of the Hawks’ offseason trade chatter. Given the giant leap Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson has taken this season, they now may be more open to moving Hunter.

Hunter averaged 15.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.7 steals per game this season on 46/39/85. At times, his role on the Hawks seemed relegated to being a three-and-D player who spaced the floor on offense while Atlanta’s guards were the focal points of the offense.

It’s apparent when watching the teams in this year’s playoffs that the Blazers need more length and physicality to match up with them. Hunter, a versatile 6-foot-8 wing, could be extremely helpful. As is, Hunter is still a very productive role player. But, there may be an untapped aspect of Hunter’s game as a shot-creator as he enters his prime at only 26 years old. For Portland, it’s worth finding out what Atlanta’s asking price for Hunter is.

5. Jordan Hawkins

The New Orleans Pelicans are another team that needs to consider their roster construction and trade options after their first-round playoff exit. If he’s made available, Sharpshooter Jordan Hawkins is the player Portland should target. It’s worth taking a flyer on someone who was the No. 14 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

The Blazers must address their three-point woes this offseason. Hawkins could be a piece that would fit their needs and should have a reasonable asking price. The Pelicans guard averaged 7.8 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.0 assists per game on 38/37/84 shooting splits as a rookie. His floor spacing alone would help Portland’s starters get more room to orchestrate the offense. However, only a rookie, Hawkins could also take another leap himself as an offensive initiator.

While his 6-foot-5, 190-pound frame could be concerning on the defensive end alongside Simons or Henderson, the main priority currently for Porltand should be finding shooting. If the Pelicans decide they want to enter more of a win-now mode and seek a piece to help push them over the top to become legitimate contenders, Hawkins could be someone they would be open to moving. If that’s the case, the Blazers should try to get Hawkins, as his offensive skill set and youth make him an attractive trade target for Portland as they continue their rebuild.