Mar 30, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center J.J. Hickson (21) reacts after a play against the Golden State Warriors during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret, at this point, that Portland’s double-double machine, J.J. Hickson, will probably be hanging up the red and black to explore free agency when the time comes. As much as he has done for the Blazers, this is good for both of them. J.J. has earned a larger payday than Portland can pony up if they hope to improve this summer, and the Blazers need a bigger center that can match up well on defense. Besides, I try not to assign players value based on contract years, and Portland has only ever locked him down for a season at a time. You never quite know if they’re playing for a paycheck to coast on.

So who ends up with J.J. when he dips his toes in the FA pool?

Atlanta Hawks: 40% chance.
Josh Smith hasn’t been happy in Atlanta for a while now. The Hawks failed to trade him at the deadline and will likely be forced to watch as their franchise player looks elsewhere for a winning team. Fortunately for Atlanta, this would leave them with the kind of cap space every rebuilding franchise dreams about. They don’t have the geographical or market draw that teams like L.A., Miami, and New York have, so why not expand their talent base around Al Horford instead of underdogging after a big fish? J.J. grew up in the Atlanta area and would surely be a valuable addition to the Hawks, playing his natural position (PF). Atlanta would even have some change left over to shore up the small forward position and play good team basketball. Smith’s eventual departure could be as good for Atlanta as Rudy Gay’s departure was for Memphis if the Hawks capitalize on opportunity.

Phoenix Suns: 30% chance.
Who can resist that sunshine? Ok, I’m only half joking. Aside from being the climatic envy of the NBA, Phoenix could be a good home for Hickson from a team standpoint. It really depends whether J.J. would prefer to be supporting cast for a contender or stand out as a star for a hurting squad. The depleted Suns have enough money to buy 3 or 4 J.J. Hicksons this offseason. I could be entirely off-base, but Hickson has always struck me as the type to value a big role with a big contract over the game itself. Again, just a hunch. If Phoenix is willing to risk picking up a possible coaster it might pay off big for both parties. Please just let them land a small forward with the rest of their resources. I hear Josh Smith is looking around.

New York Knicks: 20% chance.
They have the cap space, they have the need, and they have the biggest stage in the NBA. The Knicks are an old team all around, but especially in the frontcourt. They’ve battled injuries all year between Marcus Camby (39), Rasheed Wallace (38), and Kurt Thomas (40), not to mention their younger players. What New York needs is a consistent, healthy big man that can help Tyson Chandler clean the glass. The Knicks may be 1st in the Atlantic this year, but they are 27th in rebounding overall. Picture Melo back at small forward with J.J. opening for Stoudemire. That’s just filthy on paper. The Knicks can’t afford another all star, nor do they need one, and Hickson is already familiar with the bloated earthworm that is Raymond Felton. It’s a reasonable fit.

Portland Trail Blazers: 10% chance.
Doubtful is an understatement for the city of Roses, but I’ve included them because free agents have a tendency to stay where they are comfortable. J.J. has had undeniably more success in Portland than he has had anywhere else in his career; however, he would have to turn down much more lucrative offers if he wants to stay. General manager, Neil Olshey is hunting for depth on a limited budget. Hickson doesn’t fit Portland’s goals in the long term, so he would be in for a reduced role and reduced pay if he wanted to stick around. That is, if the Blazers will even have him. He’s become quite the fan favorite, but the fans don’t make the decision. That’s up to J.J.

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Oct 2, 2012; Tualatin, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts (left) speaks with Trail Blazers general manager Neil Olshey during the first day of practice at the Trail Blazers training facility. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports

When asked about making offseason moves in an interview with the Portland Tribune, Blazers GM, Neil Olshey, indicated that he would consider any option that adds much needed depth to the team:

“I’m open to anything. Every move we make this offseason has to be made where we maximize our flexibility. Every penny of cap room. … the mini-mid level, our draft pick, our second-round picks. It’s not just about adding one player. We’re not deep enough right now. We’re not talented enough. We have to make moves that increase the talent base at least one through nine. That’s what we have to get to, no matter how we go about doing that.”

With our lottery pick yet to be determined (and going to Charlotte if we finish above the bottom 12) we are left to examine our best options in free agency for now. The #1 issue that needs to be addressed is depth. Olshey knows this, and will look to sign a slew of role players over a new superstar. So who’s it going to be? If we wish to maximize our salary cap, we need to look at the players that provide the most bang for their buck in free agency. The following is my shortlist of 2013 unrestricted free agents Portland should target, that have been paid in peanuts for their services this year.

Apr 2, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Chicago Bulls guard Nate Robinson (2) talks to the referee during the second quarter at the Verizon Center against the Washington Wizards. Mandatory Credit: Paul Frederiksen-USA TODAY Sports

#1) Nate Robinson (PG) – Chicago Bulls. Current salary: $1,146,337
Nate Robinson plays with the energy of three players; always has. He is an 8 year man, that would bring experience, talent, and most importantly, a spark. In the absence of Derrick Rose and the ailments of Kirk Hinrich, Nate Robinson has been electric for the Chicago Bulls. So what happens to him next year? Derrick Rose will be healthy (one would hope), Hinrich is signed through 2014, and Marquis Teague will have a year under his belt to back up 3rd string. Nate the Great will probably be looking for his 6th NBA team to call home. With Portland in desperate need of experience off the bench and no guarantees that Eric Maynor will stick around, the Blazers should give Mr. Robinson a long look.

Mar 15, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Tony Allen (9) during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 87-80. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

#2) Tony Allen (SG) – Memphis Grizzlies. Current Salary: $3,300,000
Tony is one of the leagues premiere defenders. He was instrumental in bringing the Celtics a championship in 2008 and was named to the NBA all-defensive first team as recently as last season. The Blazers need defense more than anything. They’ve danced the same dance all year; make a run with the starters, dig a hole with the bench, climb out as best they can when the starters re-enter. Portland needs players that can get stops, force turnovers, and prevent opposing teams from running up the score while the starters rest. Tony Allen is a perfect fit.

April 5, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers small forward Earl Clark (6) controls the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

#3) Earl Clark (SF/PF) – Los Angeles Lakers. Current Salary: $1,240,000
Clark has received more minutes than anyone anticipated this season due to injuries between Pau Gasol, Dwight Howard, Metta World War, and Jordan Hill. Just when Gasol went out with a plantar fascia tear and the Lakers thought all playoff hope was lost, Earl Clark stepped in and got it done. During the course of Pau’s absence, the Lakers won 13 of their 20 games, greatly due to the contributions of Earl Clark on both ends of the floor. He is a 6’10” small forward that can play post when needed. That’s two inches taller than the Blazers’ starting SF, Nicolas Batum. That kind of size off the bench brings the sort of rotation options Terry Stotts has been missing all year. Not to mention Clark’s increasing skill level. It couldn’t hurt to have LaMarcus insurance in case of future injury either.

Feb 25, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Corey Brewer (13) during the second half against the Los Angeles Lakers at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

#4) Corey Brewer (SF) – Denver Nuggets. Current Salary: $3,243,000
The Brew Master is the definition of a role player. Need him to get a stop? He’ll terrorize the ball. Need him to score? He’ll get to the rim. Need him to play out of position? You get the idea. Corey has been great for the Denver Nuggets this season, averaging 12 points off the bench. He may need to step up even further in the absence of Danilo Gallinari (torn ACL). We’ll get to see him play as many minutes as he can handle down the stretch and get an even better idea of his capabilities. The Blazers could certainly use him in the backcourt. He brings a solid offensive game and a phenomenal (relative to Portland) defensive game every night.

Feb 27, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Atlanta Hawks center Zaza Pachulia (27) looks to pass during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

#5) Zaza Pachulia (C) – Atlanta Hawks. Current Salary: $5,248,750
Now, $5m+ is not exactly peanuts, but Zaza is a great buy-low option this year. His current salary is the result of a back-loaded contract with the Hawks. He has been under-utilized in Atlanta due to injury and the spotlight heroics of Al Horford. Zaza is by no means the best center on the market, but the price is right and the experience is high. He is a 10 year man that knows how to work the glass. We will need all the rebounding we can get, especially after the anticipated departure of J.J. Hickson. What’s more, Zaza is 6’11”. The lack of a traditional center has been a burden on the Blazers all season, despite J.J.’s chameleon efforts. If we elect to pick up a big man in free agency, Zaza fits the bill.

Of course, Portland will have to weigh their options between now and then, but window shopping isn’t a bad idea. Remember, these are just some of the unrestricted free agents. It’s very possible that more players become available as options are, and are not, exercised. As far as getting their money’s worth while stretching the budget, Portland would be remiss to overlook these guys. When the offseason arrives, keep an ear to the ground and listen for role players heading toward the Rose City.

Portland Tribune Article

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Mar 11, 2011; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks guard Teondre Williams (22) and Washington Huskies forward Justin Holiday (22) scramble for a loose ball during the second half of semifinal game at the 2011 NCAA Pac-10 men

It’s not major news, but the Portland Trail Blazers have added Justin Holiday, a 6-6 guard/forward out of Washington, to complete their 20-man training camp roster.

And yes, he’s related to Jrue; his older brother to be exact.

The Trail #Blazers have claimed G/F Justin Holiday off waivers. Holiday is expected to join the team on Sunday. He will wear #10.

— Trail Blazers PR (@TrailBlazersPR) October 13, 2012

Holiday made a living with the Huskies as a defensive stopper and somewhat of a stat sheet stuffer. He averaged 10.5 points and 5.2 rebounds, and played 12 games where he posted at least one block and one steal. Holiday was also named the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year as a senior before going overseas to play in Belgium.

If there’s one reason why the Blazers would want to hang onto Holiday, it’s because of his defense. His teammates at Washington used to call him “the Fireman” because of his ability to extinguish even the hottest player on the court. A solid man defender would fit beautifully into coach Stotts’ defensive game plan, which relies heavily on isolation defense and not getting beat.

Still, the journey will be tough for Holiday to earn a spot on the roster. He was undrafted out of Washington and has already been cut from the Cleveland Cavaliers training camp squad. Even with Aalstar, one of the more premier teams in Belgium, Holiday could only muster up a mere 7.2 points and 2.9 rebounds in 33 games.

Portland’s clearly got their eyes on stocking their team with defensive talent, but Holiday may not make the final cut. If he doesn’t, all he can do is continue to work on his game and hope to make a team somewhere else.