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Brandon Jennings an Option?

By Steven Dewald

Dec 26, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) before the game against the Boston Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Brandon Jennings (7) before the game against the Boston Celtics at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Could Brandon Jennings be available for the Trail Blazers?

A lot has changed for Brandon Jennings since he signed his 3 year – 24 million dollar contract with the Pistons. Detroit has had a coaching change, traded for another top flight guard, and Jennings has suffered (and recovered from) a major achilles injury. The emergence of Reggie Jackson has several NBA sources assuming that Jennings is now expendable. Could Neil Olshey look to bring in another point guard to help the Trail Blazers push for the playoffs?

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The race for the playoffs has suddenly opened up for the retooled Portland squad, which could be the final nudge to turn them into trade deadline buyers (that and a tremendous amount of cap space). The Trail Blazers could be an interesting landing spot for the recovering Jennings. With the complicated rehab of Damian Lillard‘s planar fasciitis in mind, Portland could look to add some reinforcements to their guard rotation.

Jennings would not only provide depth, but he also would present Olshey with a major buy-low investment opportunity. The Trail Blazers are certainly in a position where another 8.3 million dollars wouldn’t hurt them, so taking a chance on the offensively gifted point guard wouldn’t hinder their flexibility. It is also unlikely that he will resign with the Piston’s, given the fact that Jackson has performed at such a high level with the starters (Jackson’s huge extension also kicks in next year). Jennings is entering his final year on his contract, so this might be the last chance for Detroit to receive compensation for him.

Dec 26, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Tim Frazier (10) defends Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams (52) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 26, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Tim Frazier (10) defends Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams (52) at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

You might be asking why Portland would take a chance on Jennings after they passed on bringing back Wesley Matthews (who suffered the same injury)? It was unlikely that the Trail Blazers front office envisioned a legitimate path to the playoffs this year, but massive injuries throughout the Western Conference have changed that projection. While Jennings hasn’t been the poster child for consistent shooting (only two seasons with shooting above 40%), he still possess a set of skills that the Trail Blazers lack at back up point guard.

Tim Frazier has performed serviceably, but his minutes have only come at the expense of Lillard’s injury. Terry Stotts was hesitant to use Frazier at the start of the season, resulting in huge minutes for C.J. McCollum and Lillard. If the Trail Blazers are to make a playoff push they will need to bring the minutes down for their talented guard combo. Adding Jennings to the second unit would provide another talented combo off the bench (with Allen Crabbe), and provide more rest for the starters.

It is no guarantee that Jennings will be the same player after such a devastating injury, as history isn’t kind to quick guards who suffer ruptured achilles. The Trail Blazers have the cap space and situation to take a risk on a player like this. Jennings only has 38 minutes logged so far this season, so it will certainly be a situation worth watching.