The hours are counting down and the Portland Trail Blazers have yet to make a splash prior to the Feb. 6 trade deadline. According to ESPN's Zach Lowe, don't expect the Blazers to make a big move in the next few days.

The Blazers were expected to swing for the fences with a trade that would propel them to the postseason, yet they have managed to win four in a row and put themselves 1.5 games back from the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Portland is 7-3 in the last 10 games and Hassan Whiteside, their single biggest trade piece, has been performing at a high level and anchoring the team defensively.

Any big trade would have to involve Whiteside's expiring contract, and the 7-footer is giving Portland quality minutes at center, especially at a time when Zach Collins is still unable to return and Jusuf Nurkic is working his way back from a season-ending injury.

Article Continues Below
More Trail Blazers News
Greg Oden, LaRue Martin, Sam Bowie all together in Blazers gear.
Trail Blazers’ 10 worst NBA Draft day mistakes in historyBailey Bassett ·
Deni Avdija, Grizzlies EVP/GM Zach Kleiman, Brandon Clarke
Sources: Blazers’ Deni Avdija emerges as serious Grizzlies trade targetChris Dodson ·
Mystery player in the middle, Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe around him, Blue lightning in the background
Portland Trail Blazers’ perfect outcome for No. 11 pick in 2025 NBA DraftEnzo Flojo ·
Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups talks to Scoot Henderson
Blazers’ Chaucey Billups issues ‘challenge’ to Scoot HendersonJedd Pagaduan ·
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Darius Garland (10) drives against Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons (1) in the fourth quarter at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
Magic rumors: Anfernee Simons, Darius Garland must be on trade radar, says insiderJulian Ojeda ·
image thumbnail
3 players Portland Trail Blazers must avoid in 2025 NBA DraftCameron Zunkel ·

Even when Nurkic does return, it's likely he will still be capped by a minute-limitation, making Whiteside's defense, rebounding, and second-chance scoring a vital part of the Blazers' run at this stage of the season.

The center has expressed a desire to remain with the team and reportedly even bought a house in Portland recently. The Blazers could regroup next season with Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Rodney Hood, Collins, and Nurkic without the need to give out any picks to unload Whiteside's expiring $27 million contract.

Next up for Portland is a matchup with the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday at Pepsi Center.