The deadline to extend players has come and past. This was the first step in clearing up the free agency picture for the 2016 offseason. In this article, I would like to highlight some of the restricted free agents GM Neil Olshey might target this summer.
As of now the Blazers will enter the offseason with an abundance of cap space. Currently, only 45-50 million dollars are committed to salaries(even with the Damian Lillard extension). Unfortunately, Portland will be joined by the entire league in the cap space department. With the new TV deal in place, the league is expected to raise the salary cap to 89 million in 2016, and upwards of 100 million by 2017(via ESPN). This isn’t exactly good news for a Blazer team planning on wielding cap flexibility as its main weapon.
This doesn’t mean that Olshey won’t have options in the restricted free agent market. I fully expect Portland to extend qualifying offers to both Meyers Leonard and Maurice Harkless. It is a low cost investment that guarantees that the Blazers will at least have the option to retain their services. After securing in house options, Olshey will most likely look to be opportunistic in his approach to signings.
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The Warriors will have two restricted free agents I could see being on Portland’s radar. Olshey will be able to put in big contract offers on both Harrison Barnes and Festus Ezeli. This will put pressure on Golden State, who figure to be a major player in the Kevin Durant sweepstakes. While the Blazers will likely not be able to walk away with both players, it may force the Warriors to choose between the two.
Barnes fits the talent profile the Blazers are trying to acquire. The 6’8 forward is only 23 years old, putting him on the Lillard prime trajectory. He possesses the ability to play at both the small forward and power forward spots depending on match up. His .405 three point percentage from last year will fit seamlessly into the Terry Stotts’ system.
November 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40)
Ezeli is much more of an unknown in most NBA fan circles as he has been buried behind a veteran frontcourt in Golden State. His playing time has come at the expense of Andrew Bogut‘s injury trouble. In that time he displayed an impressive ability to alter shots in the paint(1.8 BPG). While Portland has several young options in the post, they still lack a defensive anchor.
With roughly 80 million in committed salary next year, the Warriors will be forced to make some tough decisions. The Draymond Green extension already has a hefty chunk of money tied up in the frontcourt. These are the type of opportunities that Portland must pounce on.
Much like Golden State, Houston finds themselves with a couple loose ends. Donatas Motiejunas and Terrence Jones will both hit restricted free agency. The Rockets already have younger and cheaper options on the bench(Clint Capela, Montrezl Harrell). I expect Houston GM Daryl Morey to fight for compensation on outgoing assets, but I would be shocked if he paid top dollar to keep them both.
Donatas Motiejunas has looked like a serviceable post player while filling in for Dwight Howard. While he has had his own run in with injuries, the 25 year old still has a lot left in the tank. He as shown to be an efficient passer in Houston’s high paced offense. The 7’0 Motiejunas also shoots an effective .368 from three point range. With a league reliant on spacing to score, Motiejunas could provide the shooting Portland craves.
With Howard’s 23 million dollar player option, the Rockets salary commitment sits at a lofty 82 million. Morey will be a tough customer to deal with in restricted free agency, but if Portland puts an offer in it will limit his ability to be effective in other pursuits.
The Blazers have entered the season without a reliable back up point guard on the roster. Lillard and C.J. McCollum have manned the majority of the guard duties to this point. The third guard spot is a position that will definitely be addressed at some point. Langston Galloway of the Knicks is entering restricted free agency this summer. While he is not a flashy signing, he has been effective in his role in New York.
Apr 13, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; New York Knicks guard Langston Galloway (2) celebrates after a three point basket against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at Philips Arena. The Knicks defeated the Hawks 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Galloway is exactly what you would expect out of your back up point guard. He is not turnover prone(1.3 TO per game) and he is fairly effective shooting from deep(.378 3P%). While the Knicks have the cap space to retain Galloway, I would assume they will clear up the rotation in front of rookie Jerian Grant.
You may have noticed that I have not mentioned Bradley Beal and the Wizards. It is on purpose. DC has the cap flexibility to keep their star guard and put a max offer in for Durant. You can at least make a reasonable case for the aforementioned restricted free agents; with Beal you can’t.
The restricted free agent pool is a little thin on backcourt players, so I would expect the Blazers to pursue their needs there in another way. This is merely a first look at the litany of options Portland will have this offseason. Stay tuned for future posts regarding trade targets and unrestricted free agent options.