Portland Trail Blazers: Cap flexibility and pending contract extensions
There are at least three current Portland Trail Blazers players the team needs to evaluate for contract extensions next offseason.
In our last article, we wrote about how the Portland Trail Blazers set up enough cap flexibility to add a big-time player at the trade deadline. They also need some leeway in order to sign a few current players who are eligible for contract extensions.
The Blazers have three pivotal extensions coming next summer. Gary Trent Jr., Zach Collins, are restricted free agents. Then there is one player Blazers fans haven’t heard much about extending Jusuf Nurkic.
Jusuf Nurkic
Nurkic goes into the final year of his contract in 2021-22. If the Portland Trail Blazers are smart, they sign him to an extension in the next offseason. He’s arguably number three on the team in terms of importance behind Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. It could get very uncomfortable next year if Nurk is playing out his contract with no guarantees he’s certain to stay.
Zach Collins
Collins is the real question mark of the three. Is he Portland’s future starting power forward? If the answer is yes, then he’s a priority. On the other hand, if the answer is no, the Blazers may still offer Collins a contract and have him come off the bench.
Gary Trent Jr.
As for Trent, re-signing him is a no-brainer. In the bubble, he showed his value off the bench. Trent has improved each season as a pro. Between his shooting prowess and defense, it’s not hard to see him eventually become a starter in Rip City.
Others on the bubble
Aside from the extensions, there are a few others playing for new contracts. Rodney Hood signed a two-year, $20.9M contract in the offseason. Only this season, his $10.45M salary is guaranteed. Also, both of Nurkic’s backups, Enes Kanter Harry Giles III, will be unrestricted free agents after the season.
Between now and the deadline, G.M. Neil Olshey has to evaluate his roster. He’ll need to decide if Hood or Collins is part of the long term plan. If not, maybe they should be used as trade assets to get that final piece to put the Portland Trail Blazers over the top. However the season plays out, whether it be player development or trades, It will be a much different Blazers team at the end of the season than the one that starts it.
Related Article: Setting a rotation for this season’s Portland Trail Blazers team
Who do you think the Portland Trail Blazers should prioritize for a contract extension next summer. Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.