Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin will have his hands full this month as he faces the challenging task of figuring out how to navigate their rebuild leading up to the Feb. 5 trade deadline.
Portland has now missed the postseason for four consecutive seasons but should be able to fight for a play-in spot as they currently sit 9th in the Western Conference with a 16-20 record. It's going to be a balancing act for an up-and-coming roster that doesn't want to waste another season but also strategically continues to prioritize their long-term outlook.
Whether it's by February's deadline or this upcoming offseason, these Blazers players stand out as ones that should no longer be considered part of their rebuilding plans.