$200 Million Star Guard Named Top Trade Target for Portland Trail Blazers

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DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 22: Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets looks up during a timeout in the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ball Arena on October 22, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)

The Portland Trail Blazers appear to be going big-game hunting this offseason, as they’ve been linked to the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jaylen Brown.

While not in the same tier as those guys, Denver Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray can now be added to that list.

Jamal Murray Named Top Offseason Target for Portland Trail Blazers

Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes recently named Murray as the top trade target for the Trail Blazers this offseason, citing how a potential swap involving veteran guard Jrue Holiday could be mutually beneficial for both sides.

Murray has been a key cog in Denver for years and he made his first All-Star team this past season. However, Denver’s front office could look to shake things up this offseason and Murray could become available as a result.

“A deal that swaps Jamal Murray and Jrue Holiday could help both the Blazers and Nuggets by adding high-volume perimeter scoring to the former and stabilizing defense to the latter,” Hughes wrote.

“The Blazers were arguably the worst three-point shooting team in the league last year when accounting for volume. They attempted treys at the sixth highest rate and hit them at the fifth lowest, so you can see the utility of Murray…”

Murray still has three years remaining on the four-year, $208 million maximum extension he signed with Denver in 2024. Trading for him would be a major investment on the part of the Trail Blazers.

John Collins Also Named as Offseason Target for Trail Blazers

In addition to Murray, Hughes also listed veteran forward John Collins as a potential offseason target for Portland. Collins will be an unrestricted free agent this summer after spending the 2025-26 season with the L.A. Clippers.

“Whether or not Portland makes a major upgrade via trade, it should look to Collins with the mid-level exception. He’s 28, can play the 4 while guarding wings and is coming off two straight seasons shooting at least 39.9 percent from deep,” Hughes wrote.

“Maybe it’s a stretch to say he’ll only cost the MLE, but the Blazers could certainly use him if they’re able to move off of Jerami Grant’s deal.”

Collins averaged 13.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 27.1 minutes per game for the Clippers last season.