Rip City Project
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Trail Blazers Free Agency: 25 and Under Targets

By Perry Waggoner

Mar 31, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) reacts to a call during the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Trail Blazers won 116-109. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Boston Celtics center Jared Sullinger (7) reacts to a call during the third quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at the Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. The Trail Blazers won 116-109. Mandatory Credit: Steve Dykes-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Evan Fournier (10) reaches for a loose ball during the second quarter of a basketball game against the Boston Celtics at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic forward Evan Fournier (10) reaches for a loose ball during the second quarter of a basketball game against the Boston Celtics at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Evan Fournier, 23 years old (RFA)

2015-16 Stats: 15.4 PPG / 2.7 APG / 2.8 RPG

The Case for Fournier: In this scenario, Portland lets Harkless or Crabbe go and instantly replace them with a superior offensive player. Fournier had the best year of his career in Orlando last season after averaging just 8.6 PPG over three years in Denver. If signed, he would step in and instantly be the third best scorer on the Trail Blazers’ roster. Fournier is an explosive scorer and can shoot from anywhere on the court. While the team doesn’t necessarily need another wing, his ability to put the ball in the basket at a high level would be wildly accepted in Rip City. Defensively, former coach Scott Skiles told the Orlando Sentinel  in November that: “Fournier has been the team’s second-best defender.”

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The Case Against Fournier: I looked and looked for a real negative in Fournier’s game, but the result netted me no definitive answer. He’s a “3 & D” type player that has a little more to offer near the rim than most guys in the category. The con is that the Magic will undoubtedly match any offer that he will sign. With Victor Oladipo out of the picture, Fournier is now clearly the best wing player they have. Conventional wisdom tells us the Magic won’t let him go.

Cost of signing Fournier: An underrated and undervalued free agent this offseason, Fournier will most likely sign a deal around $13 million to $18 million –  though I believe he deserves much more.

Next: Harrison Barnes, 24 years old