Portland Trail Blazers: Looking ahead to the offseason, Part 3 – The roster
This is the finale’ of a three-part series on possible changes to the Portland Trail Blazers during the offseason. Today we look at the roster.
Editors note: I’ll ask the question for you: Why are we looking at the offseason when this season isn’t close to over? Answer: Because it’s obvious the Portland Trail Blazers have plenty of work left to reach the NBA’s elite teams.
As the Portland Trail Blazers season continues its downward spiral, we look at possible changes the team could make in the next offseason. The roster is a good place to look.
Break up the band?
After Portland traded Gary Trent Jr to Toronto for Norman Powell, my first thought was that GM Neil Olshey must already know that ownership isn’t willing to re-sign another guard for big money so they came to terms with bringing in a guard that would have a bigger impact for the present playoff run. “Going all in for now,” so to speak.
Those thoughts gradually changed the more I considered the move. Powell is a starting quality shooting guard who checks all the necessary boxes. He can handle the ball well and drive, and he can shoot lights out from three (though he hasn’t shown the ability yet during his time in Portland). Powell is also an excellent defender with championship experience.
If the Portland Trail Blazers fail to get out of the first round of the playoffs, I firmly believe the team will look into breaking up the Damian Lillard/ CJ McCollum backcourt. They might even pull the trigger if they make it to the second round and get knocked out. Obviously, if they go beyond that point, Olshey likely keeps the team intact. I agree with those scenarios.
Lots of guards
Teams are always moving assets to remain competitive. At this point, Portland either lets Powell walk, trades CJ to make room for a re-signed Powell. The last scenario, overpaying for three guards by keeping Norman Powell, still leaves glaring defensive holes. Another problem is that by keeping all three, the Blazers continue to rely on perimeter shooting for the majority of their offense.
The quest for balance
I believe one-dimensional offensive teams, either inside or outside, don’t consistently work. Opposing defenses can either stack the paint to stop interior scoring if a team lacks effective perimeter shooters. Or they double team perimeter shooters forcing the team to move the ball inside.
In recent years, Portland was at their best when they had a healthy Jusuf Nurkic or LaMarcus Aldridge to score inside. Dame ran the offense with reliable shooters at the wings to space the floor. Right now, Portland doesn’t have a very healthy Nurkic and lacks a power forward like Aldridge, who could score inside. Finding a big that can defend and be a force offensively should be Portland’s highest offseason priority.
In all likelihood, to get the necessary frontcourt upgrade, it will cost the Trail Blazers CJ Mccollum. This is the real reason why I think Olshey brought in Powell. A Powell/RoCo tandem at the SG/SF spots with an upgrade at PF would give Lillard the kind of balance offensively this team hasn’t seen since the 2014-15 season.
In the middle
A good enough improvement at the four would allow Portland to re-sign Enes Kanter. They could continue to platoon him with Nurkic at center. Not having to rely on either center as heavily to anchor the defense allows each to focus on his strengths. Splitting minutes between Nurkic and Kanter more evenly might lead to higher energy output and lower injury risks as well.
What about Zach?
One more question is what will the Portland Trail Blazers do about Zach Collins? He’s missed so much time with injuries that despite his skills, he hasn’t developed. After the season, Collins is a restricted free agent. The Trail Blazers need his defense and outside shot, but Collin’s injury history places doubt on whether he should be re-signed.
If you missed the first two parts of the series click here for part one about GM Neil Olshey and here for part two on head coach Terry Stotts.
Do you think the Portland Trail Blazers reshape the roster this offseason? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.