While some teams that have unexpected awful starts are thinking of blowing up their team, the Portland Trailblazers are going in the opposite direction. Their surprising start has made them realize that this could be THE year for them.

As with every good soldier, the Blazers contemplate their needs going forwad. If they plan to have an extended season all the way till June, they need to improve their interior defense.

Portland is lucky, though. Omer Asik is on the trading block, and he would be good compliment to LaMarcus Aldridge and the rest of the Blazers starters. While the Blazers already have Robin Lopez, Asik would still be considered an upgrade.

From the New York Daily News:

"The Trail Blazers are off to one of their best starts in years, but they're not kidding themselves. They know they've taken advantage of a pillow-soft schedule and have surprised themselves with their shooting (45%). So they're quietly looking to improve, talking to the Rockets about trading for Omer Asik. They can send back Robin Lopez in a deal, but don't have the "stretch four'' the Houston is looking for as it searches for a home for its disgruntled backup center."

However, the big question is what would the Blazers offer for Houston to agree? It doesn't solve the Rockets' desire for a 'stretch four' who can operate outside and space the floor for Dwight. Their ideal trade is to acquire Ryan Anderson, but the way Anderson is playing right now (in Anthony Davis absence) the Pelicans will never trade him.

Portland is also not giving its first round pick as an additional piece. The jump from Lopez to Asik is not a significant one.

This is a tough one to call, as both teams have astute front offices. Blazers GM Neil Olshey is a candidate for Executive of the Year. Rockets GM Daryl Morey is a perrenial candidate, and acquiring Dwight Howard from the Lakers is an unprecedented coup.

Both teams are doing well, unlike the desperate Knicks. Also, there is a possibility that they might take on each other in the playoffs. The Rockets could give the Blazers the edge that could beat them if in a playoff series, and Morey is not one to make that mistake.