Before the Portland Trail Blazers traded Mason Plumlee to the Denver Nuggets for Jusuf Nurkic and a first round pick, they were close to acquiring Jahlil Okafor from the Philadelphia 76ers.

Talks between the Blazers and 76ers were advanced enough for Philadelphia to pull Okafor from their lineup.

The Blazers broke off trade talks with Philadelphia after they decided instead to deal for Nurkic. Portland now has three first round picks.

The Portland Trail Blazers are determined to trade Festus Ezeli before the trade deadline.

Ezeli could be of value to a team trying to get to the salary floor.

Ezeli is in the first year of a two-year deal for Ezeli that pays $7.4 million this season but is guaranteed for only $1 million next season. 

Ezeli has been injured all season.

The Portland Trail Blazers have acquired Jusuf Nurkic and a 2017 first round pick in exchange for Mason Plumlee.

Portland owns three picks in the talent-rich 2017 NBA draft, including its own, Cleveland’s and Memphis’ via the deal with Denver. 

Nurkic gives the Blazers a talented offensive player who has more upside on defense.

Plumlee is a more established center whose ability to pass the ball is an ideal complement.

Portland has $130.7 million in guaranteed contracts for the 2017-18 season. Plumlee will be a restricted free agent in the offseason.

Evan Turner suffered a broken hand in the Portland Trail Blazers' win on Tuesday over the Dallas Mavericks.

Turner broke the third metacarpal in his shooting hand. A timetable for Turner's recovery has yet to be established.

"We haven't really discussed it yet," said Turner, who believes he suffered the injury in a collision with Harrison Barnes. "I just know I was injured. The guy that checked it out just said it didn't look like you need surgery or anything. It's really just all about my pain tolerance and what I can take, so not going to really worry about it. I guess I'm lucky I wasn't in crazy pain."

Turner is in the first season of a four-year, $70 million deal.