Moda Center home of the Portland Trail Blazers (photo by CrispyCream27 via Wikimedia).
The Portland Trail Blazers offseason is well underway. Head Coach Chauncy Billups is working with interim General Manager Joe Cronin and the Blazers’ scouting department to analyze the young players in the NBA draft. Cronin and Billups are also looking at pending free agents too. Working in Portland’s favor are both available starting spots open and the available cap space to fill them.
Unfortunately, this year’s free-agent class is not very good. Many of the top players potentially available most likely won’t be or if they are, don’t fit with the Portland Trail Blazers roster. Another that may be problematic is the amount of money Anfernee Simons receives in his next contract. The going speculation is that he will cost a lot of money. However, the reality is he’s only had one season of high-end NBA performance. So, is this past season a fluke or the norm for Simons?
Top free agents, the John Wall, Bradley Beal, Kyrie Irving, James Harden, and Russell Westbrook types aren’t likely options for the Portland Trail Blazers. Plus they all have player options in their current deals that they are most likely going to exercise. So, that leaves a mixture of mid-level players or guys with some possible untapped potential.
Before getting into the available players let’s finalize two points to note. The Portland Trail Blazers have openings at their power forward and center positions. They also are projected to have around $64 million available. Again, keep in mind a portion of that cap space will go towards Simons’s extension. Before anyone gets upset we’re not going to look at any player that was on this past Blazer season’s roster. We the fans and the Blazers all know about them.
Jalen Smith – For those who follow me, I highlighted Smith as a possible draft choice for the Portland Trail Blazers when he was available in the 2020 draft. Smith can play at either play the 4 or 5, block shots, run the floor, and make three-pointers. Never getting consistent playing time in Phoneix, they traded him to Indiana.
With the Pacers, Smith got consistent playing time and showcased his abilities. They should be eager to re-sign him. But Smith likely signs with whichever team overpays for him, as his skill set is highly sought after in the NBA.
Chris Boucher – This former Oregon Ducks star also has the same skill set as Smith and as a bonus, championship experience. Unfortunately for him, but fortunately for other teams, Toronto’s head coach Nick Nurse is not one of his fans. Expect any team who misses on Smith to go after Boucher.
Kyle Anderson – One of the guys in this group who doesn’t play center. SloMo can play the small or power forward spots. He’s not a big-time scorer; however, he facilitates well for a big man, can run the floor, and plays really good defense. If Billups can coax the 2020 version of out Anderson, the Portland Trail Blazers will be really scary defending their basket.
Marvin Bagley III – This former lottery pick is could be with his third team in four NBA seasons. It remains to be seen if Detroit will let Bagley leave the Motor City. He’s more of a power forward than a center but can play some center in smaller lineups. He can be a solid scorer, rebounder, and passer. What he doesn’t do well is shoot threes and block shots His game doesn’t pair well with other big men.
Miles Bridges – This is probably wishful thinking. He’s the other guy on here who doesn’t play center. Charlotte will not let their prized lottery pick go without a fight. Especially after he’s coming off the best year of his career. So buyer beware.
Isaiah Hartenstein – This is a young center who could be looking for this third team in his brief NBA career. However, he brings with him a wonderful skill set for the NBA. He can score some on the block, rebounds well, passes really well for a big man, blocks shots, and plays defense.
Moses Brown – With Brown, the Portland Trail Blazers can right a wrong. If you don’t believe me, just look at his tape when he played in Oklahoma City. Brown looks like the type of player Billups wants on his team. Also, Brown shouldn’t cost too much.
Andre Drummond – Back when he played in Detroit, Drummond was a walking double-double machine. Now, he’s been relegated to a backup or rotation, big man. He can still play, and if he’s paired with one of the previously mentioned forwards (not Bagley), they could form a nice big man pairing.
Mitchell Robinson – He could be a divisive player. Some fans will say look at Robinson’s per-minute averages, and he’s a young big man who hasn’t reached his full potential. Then you have some who say “you’ll need a backup plan for when he misses time.” He is the first in a list of centers that have big-time injury concerns.
Mo Bamba and Bol Bol – These two Orlando centers offer great potential at the NBA level. However, they can’t seem to be healthy enough to show their skills. Orlando will most likely keep one of these guys. As to which one is anyone’s guess. Because of their health, they shouldn’t be expensive, so it’s possible (you probably have to squint to see) that Portland signs both of them.
Forwards
Bobby Portis would bring a championship-winning pedigree. Montrezl Harrell is the classic old-school big man who can only play on the block. He’s a good rebounder, can score a bit, as well as block some shots, and brings a physical presence.
Centers
Naz Reid, Minnesota has a club option on him. If they don’t exercise it, then Reid should move up the list. Is anyone up for a getting back together with Hassan Whiteside? I’m sure he’d like to start for a team. Deandre Ayton is another one to keep an eye on. Phoenix most likely won’t let him leave. However, if he costs too much, they may choose to let him go and pursue one of the above options.
None of these guys should break the bank. Jalen Smith and Chris Boucher are the two players Portland should pursue the heaviest. Landing one of them will help stretch the floor and provide rim protection.
Next, they should land Isaiah Hartenstein. His skill set resembles Nikola Jokic; just switch Jokic’s three-point shooting for shot-blocking. Hartenstein’s passing isn’t too far away from what Jokic does either.
Smith and Hartenstein are also young players the team can pair with Simons and Nassir Little to be the Portland Trail Blazers’ next core. Add in this year’s lottery pick, and Portland is able to compete this upcoming season at a high level. While at the same time positioning themselves for when Damian Lillard is gone.
What free agents do you think the Portland Trail Blazers should go after? Let us know in the comments section below.