Since the February 8 trade deadline is approaching quickly, teams will have to decide whether they're buyers or sellers.Heading into Tuesday, the Portland Trail Blazers are 27-22, which ranks seventh in the Western Conference. Tied with the same exact record as the sixth-place New Orleans Pelicans, they rank ahead of the 26-23 Denver Nuggets and 25-24 Los Angeles Clippers, who hold the eighth and ninth-place spots respectively.After the ninth spot, there's a huge drop-off, as the 21-28 Utah Jazz lead a group of six underachieving squads.Since DeMarcus Cousins is out for the year with a torn Achilles tendon and since Blake Griffin just got traded to the Detroit Pistons, it seems logical to assume that the Pelicans and the Pistons could fade in the standings in the near future, thus creating a major opportunity for the Blazers to move up.The Blazers feature one of the best backcourt tandems in the NBA, as point guard Damian Lillard and shooting guard CJ McCollum deliver on a nightly basis. However, center Jusuf Nurkic has been inconsistent. Evan Turner has not come close to living up to his massive contract. There has been a revolving door on the team's second unit, as head coach Terry Stotts is still trying to figure out who can provide productive minutes off the bench.Given their situation, they're in a prime position to make a trade. Since they have a crowded frontcourt and numerous young prospects on the roster, including Caleb Swanigan, Zach Collins and Noah Vonleh, it would most likely make sense to offload one of them. But, veteran Ed Davis has heard his name come up in recent rumors.“I talked about it with my lady last night,’’ Davis, who has played for four different teams in seven NBA seasons, told Jason Quick of NBC Sports Northwest. “There’s a good chance that something could happen. We have to be prepared for it.’’Although he's averaging just 5.4 points and 7.0 rebounds in 18.7 minutes this season, Davis has emerged as a staple of Stotts' rotation, averaging 6.4 points and 8.4 boards over 22.2 minutes per contest in his last 10 games played.

Since he's on an expiring contract, he is naturally a strong rental option for a contending team. Even though the Blazers would be in the playoffs if the season ended right now, they're not considered to be championship contenders based on the uncertainty surrounding Lillard and McCollum.

Although Davis would likely be an attractive trade option for a number of other teams, Lillard doesn't want to see him leave.

“I’m not just saying this to say it,’’ the point guard said, “but it don’t get no better than Ed. That’s just the truth.”

“Look man, for me, the same way D-Wade was in Miami all those years and Udonis Haslem was there because he brought something to the team nobody else had … that’s how I feel about Ed,’’ Lillard continued. “I always want Ed to be on my team. That’s the best way I can put it. I always want him on my team.’’

Lillard has been outspoken and open about how much he respects Davis.

"I think he just means too much to our team,’’ Lillard said. “I mean, I don’t see anybody giving us anything worth giving him up. As far as backup centers, I don’t know that there’s another backup center out there that you give up Ed Davis for. I just don’t. Not just because of his production on the court, but because of what he means to a locker room.’’

Stotts also values Davis and all that he brings to the table.

“There’s a difference between role definition and role acceptance,’’ Stotts explained. “And Ed knows and accepts his role and knows he can excel in that role. Not everybody can do what Ed does. That is a talent. What he does is maybe not glamorous but it isn’t what everybody can do, and I think he takes pride in that.’’

Davis brings a whole different element to Captain Lillard's team.

“There is certain stuff I can relate to with guys on the team that Dame can’t,’’ Davis said. “Like, Dame has never had a DNP-Coach’s Decision … little things like that.’’

Therefore, his mentorship to the team's younger players is a major aspect of what makes him an invaluable piece of the puzzle in Portland.

“I’m not fake with nothing I do,’’ Davis revealed. “And I think a lot of the guys respect that.’’

Davis made it very clear that he wants to stay put.

“I say it all the time – this is where I want to be,’’ Davis proclaimed. “When the season is over hopefully we can get a deal that works for both of us. I love the organization, I’m comfortable with the city. This is where I want to be. But at the end of the day, I understand it’s a business and there’s a lot that comes into play. But I’ve been around a little bit, and I know what I like, and what I don’t like. Being here is something I like.’’

It remains to be seen whether or not the Blazers ship Davis off. If they do, one of the team's young frontcourt players will receive an opportunity for additional playing time. But, the team could also lose out on his production, and therefore a chance at a higher seeding in the West heading towards the playoffs.