Norman Powell Portland Trail Blazers.
Portland likely won’t have cap space and will be relegated to taxpayer Mid Level exception (MLE) ($5,890,000), a Bi-annual exception ($3,732,000), and two Minimum contracts. Therefore, I’ve decided to try and list five realistic free agent targets that the team needs to seriously consider either signing or re-signing to help improve the team going into the 2021-22 season.
This is THE most pivotal signing of Portlands’ offseason. If Portland strikes out on re-signing Norman Powell, then the likelihood of Damian Lillard staying in town drastically decreases. Losing Powell would add desperation to the team because the Blazers would be more limited asset-wise.
Retaining Powell gives Portland not just CJ McCollums’ potential replacement but another trade asset down the road if Portland decides to move on or upgrade from Powell.
I think Portland is in a situation right now where they can either take a risk on using the Mid Level exception and swing for a player like Nerlens Noel, Paul Milsap, or even a PJ Tucker. (None of which I think Portland would actually be able to get for the MLE); or retain a player like Enes Kanter that averaged a double-double and did a solid job in Nurkics’ absence.
I believe the saying is, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” This applies to Kanter. Fortunately, Portland has Kanter’s early bird rights and can sign him up to 175 percent of his contract. Portland should wrap it up on day one of free agency. Having a center tandem that can score in the paint while combining to put up over 25 points per game and 20 rebounds per game is a rarity in the League these days.
Enes Kanter, Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Frenchieinportland, via Wikimedia)
Portland didn’t have the bench players who could cover Kanter on defense, so Kanter’s struggles on the defensive side of the ball were exposed. The Carmelo/Kanter frontcourt had all kinds of problems defensively despite its success on offense. Portland also couldn’t maintain a healthy backup small forward who could defend until the late-season addition of Rondae Hollis Jefferson. I prefer to upgrade defensively at both second-team forward positions, and offering Taj Gibson a Bi-annual exception is a realistic option.
It’s slightly more money than he was paid last year by the Knicks, which I think might be what it takes to pry him away. I think he’d be a perfect veteran off the bench for this team. Gibson might be a little long in the tooth, but he’s still a solid defender. He’s been a product of Tom Thibodeus’ defensive systems for years. Averaging 1.1 blocks and .7 steals off the bench in just under 21 minutes per game would be an immediate upgrade defensively over Anthony and a much better fit next to Kanter.
Before Blazer fans jump on me for mentioning the return of another Blazer, hear me out. Maurice Harkless was the starting small forward who helped cover Kanters’ defensive problems during that 2019 Western Conference Finals run. So I see no reason that he wouldn’t be a good fit next to Kanter in a bench role. Best of all, he should be attainable. After falling out of favor during his time in New York and Miami, he showed signs of life in his brief stint in Sacramento.
Harkless is still an athletic 28-year-old who is a solid perimeter defender with the lateral speed and height to defend the one through three positions and small fours. If Portland offered him a minimum contract, he might prefer to return to a Blazers team he once started for. A team he’s familiar with that can give him a chance to win rather than returning to a Kings team that missed the playoffs. A Gibson/Harkless tandem improves the bench defense while allowing Kanter to do what he does best, rebound and score.
Portland Trailblazers
Austin Rivers seemed to have found a home in Denver for the post-Jamal Murray injury Nuggets. If Portland offered Rivers a minimum contract, there would be a good chance he’d bite. Having the veteran guard would take pressure off of Anfernee Simons with his ability to guard either guard position while also being able to handle the ball and knock down an open three.
As Blazer fans, we’ve all seen how annoying and pesky Austin can be, and I’m sure Rivers himself would rather not have to face Lillard in the playoffs for a change. I also think he’d pull just enough attention from opposing benches to allow Simons to further develop his own offensive arsenal.
The Blazers have had the worse defensive rating for the past two seasons. They have a new first-time coach who’s shrouded in controversy. Their General Manager, Neil Olshey, is not very well-liked by Blazer fans. Portland has to make some big moves to keep their star player happy.
My ideas, realistic or not, might not fix all of the teams’ problems. I still have some trade ideas like moving Derrick Jones Jr. and a first-round pick to Cleveland for Larry Nance Jr. Or a CJ McCollum, Nassir Little, and two first-round picks for either Ben Simmons or Pascal Siakam. Wait, does Portland have any draft picks?
What do you think of these ideas? Would they improve the team? Let us know in the comments below.