Portland Trail Blazers looking to make a major trade before deadline

The Portland Trail Blazers (13-20), a team that has taken a step back from a successful 2015-16 campaign, could be extremely active ahead of February's trade deadline, per several reports.

The Blazers are currently on a six-game losing streak and have lost nine of their last 10 games. Last season, Portland shocked the world by claiming the No.5 seed before reaching the western conference semi-finals. Prior to the new season, they were projected to be a shoo-in for a playoff berth and another possible second round playoff appearance. However, things haven't panned out as expected for Terry Stotts & Co.

According to ESPN insider Kevin Pelton, the Blazers need to desperately make some trades to return to playoff contention. "The combination of a disappointing start (13-20) and a rotation that's busting at the seams after the Blazers re-signed their restricted free agents and added Evan Turner last summer makes them perhaps the likeliest team to make a notable trade before the deadline," Pelton wrote in an insider article on Wednesday.

Andrew Bogut a possible trade target for Portland Trail Blazers?

The report added that the Blazers are most likely to pursue a rim protector, seeing as they are the worst defensive unit in the league. "With Portland last in the league in defensive rating and 20th in block percentage, the default assumption is the Blazers need to add rim protection."

Pelton noted that Dallas Mavericks centre Andrew Bogut, in the final year of his contract, could emerge as a possible trade target. "If the price were right, Andrew Bogut would provide some of the playmaking (Mason) Plumlee offers along with stout defensive rebounding and a presence at the rim. Such a deal could help provide an additional win or two down the stretch, but Portland is going to have to right the ship first with its current personnel."

During the offseason, the Blazers splurged the most money among any teams in the league -- roping in C.J. McCollom, Allen Crabbe, Meyers Leonard and Maurice Harkless to long-term contract extensions, besides signing free agents Evan Turner and Festus Ezeli to lucrative contracts.

This, just a year after they secured franchise player Damian Lillard for the long haul. With Lillard, McCollom, Crabbe, Harkless and Leonard signed through for at least four seasons, the Blazers had drawn out a clear-cut plan for its future.

However, it seems like the Blazers overestimated its own talent pool and could shake things up ahead of the Feb. 23 trade deadline. Stay tuned for the latest NBA Trade News on Portland Trail Blazers.