The Portland Trail Blazers are angling themselves toward competing for a postseason spot this season, adding proven veterans in the backcourt while still taking a swing in the draft for a high-upside play. In the midst of their roster moves, however, they curiously moved on from a player who can help now and is young enough to help down the line: Jabari Walker.
The first level of curiosity with the Trail Blazers is the entire plan. They have a young core of Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Donovan Clingan and Toumani Camara that has legitimate two-way upside. Rather than allow them room to develop, however, they are pushing the chips in to make a run as early as this season.