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Trail Blazers: A Plumlee Reunion In Portland?

By Steven Dewald

Mar 2, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Miles Plumlee (18) during the game against the Indiana Pacers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Indiana won 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks center Miles Plumlee (18) during the game against the Indiana Pacers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Indiana won 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /
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Would a big man rotation featuring both Plumlee brothers work for the Trail Blazers?

Miles Plumlee will hit the open market for the first time in his career this summer. The Trail Blazers already feature Mason Plumlee in their starting lineup, but the addition of Miles would address another set of needs. Portland will be seeking out a defensive stalwart, and Miles could fit that role at a discounted price. Could the Plumlee brothers replicate their success at Duke as Trail Blazers?

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Free agency this summer will be a frantic scramble filled with bloated contracts, which could leave the Trail Blazers with buyers remorse. They would avoid that potential headache by identifying players that come at a bargain. Miles wouldn’t be the flashiest signing, but he would address Portland’s need for a rim protector. He was underutilized during his tenure with the Bucks, so he is a low mileage 27 year old. It is possible that he hasn’t reached his full potential as a pro.

Miles had an impressive performance in his sophomore season with the Suns, which was only overshadowed by his teammate Goran Dragic (Most Improved Player winner that season). During his second season, he averaged 1.1 BPG and 7.8 RPG. Phoenix rolled the dice on a blockbuster trade in Miles’ second season as a starter, which resulted in him landing in Milwaukee. On a new team with a different head coach, he was never able to obtain the playing time he once had with the Suns.

Miles doesn’t have the ball handling chops of his younger brother, but he makes up for it with his tenacity in the paint. They both play with an intense amount of passion, the difference being that Miles’ efforts translate more favorably on the defensive end. Along with their demeanor, they both have considerable flexibility. During the 2013-14 season, Miles played nearly a third of his minutes at the power forward position (according to Basketball-Reference.com). Like his brother, Mason played a considerable amount of time out of his natural position. While in Brooklyn, he played a quarter of his minutes next to Brook Lopez.

Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24). Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24). Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

A change of scenery might be exactly what Miles needs. Mason can advocate to his brother that Portland is just the place to do that at. After serving primarily as a reserve with the Nets, Mason flourished as a starter with the Trail Blazers in 2015-16. Both players have shown enough athletic ability to play at the power forward position, which would provide both of them with adequate playing time.

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Their hustle and grit could pay big dividends on defense, but it could leave the offense one dimensional. Neither brother has the range to keep an opposing defender honest, which would cause major problems for Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum. Adding depth and a rim protector might be enough to offset that deficiency – especially if Miles comes to the Trail Blazers at a reduced price.