Five “realistic” players for the Portland Trail Blazers to pursue in free agency
Realistic Players to Sign
Taj Gibson
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.
Maurice Harkless
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
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