NBA Exec: Trail Blazers Have 'Itchy Trigger Finger' In Trade Market

Most NBA rosters are pretty much set at this point as teams prepare for the opening of training camps within 10 days. But there's at least one team with an "itchy trigger finger" to pull a huge trade, according to one NBA executive. 

Sean Deveney reports in heavy.com that a Western Conference exec feels that the Portland Trail Blazers—even after their big splash of trading for Ja Morant this summer—need to do even more to get the attention of fans in the Pacific Northwest. 

I think they’ve got an itchy trigger finger. There’s been a lot of negative press there for reasons outside of the their control–outside of the basketball peoples’ control. So, I think the basketball people have a little extra motivation to make things happen and make this team relevant no matter what else is going on.

The exec is referring specifically to new owner Tom Dundon’s massive cost-cutting and bad p.r. after purchasing the team for $4.25 billion near the end of last season. 

Dundon faced severe fan and media criticism for aggressive cost-saving measures shortly after taking over. About 70 employees—roughly 25% of the front-office business staff—were laid off. Free playoff T-shirts were cancelled, there was a reduction in the number of team mascots, and other measures. 

With Morant joining Damian Lillard and Deni Avdija, the Trail Blazers certainly have enough explosive scoring to soothe the masses, but this report that they are still "itching" to make even more moves with the roster will be an intriguing story to watch as the season begins to unfold. 

Portland returned to relevance (i.e. the playoffs) last season for the first time in five years. We'll see if they can continue to make noise on the court. Hopefully, more than in the boardroom.