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Why the Portland Trail Blazers should look at Iguodala and Gallinari

By Aneesh Namburi

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 26: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against the LA Clippers during Game Six of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 26: Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors shoots the ball against the LA Clippers during Game Six of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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How could Andre Iguodala and Danilo Gallinari potentially fit on the Portland Trail Blazers?

By most accounts, the Portland Trail Blazers have had a successful offseason. Not only have they added pieces to help their core in the short term, but they have done so without sacrificing the little long term cap flexibility that will be present in 2020 and potentially even beyond.

After a thrill of an offseason where multiple players were unexpectedly moved, there are some individuals in the league who are in limbo due to the situations of their teams.

Since the Blazers have some moveable contracts (two expiring deals), they are position to make some moves, whether it be now or at the trade deadline, to further bolster their team for a playoff push.

Two of the bigger names out on the market are Andre Iguodala and Danilo Gallinari. Iguodala was traded to Memphis, a casualty of Golden State acquiring D’Angelo Russell and Gallinari was moved to Oklahoma City to the already infamous (for some) Paul George trade.

Despite all of the strengths on Portland’s roster, their greatest weakness is likely the lack of big wings on the roster. The team is constructed heavily of guards and bigs, with not many rotation pieces in between.

That is where Iguodala and Gallinari come in to the picture.

Iguodala has long been one of the NBA’s most versatile players. From his days as a number one option one the 76ers to accepting a sixth man role on the Warriors, Iguodala has proven that he can fit a variety of systems.

For Portland, Iguodala can provide strong wing defense against the league’s top forwards. Additionally, with a career 2.32/1 assist to turnover ratio, Iguodala can operate as a tertiary playmaker and give the Blazers’ backcourt the off ball breaks that they desire.

While the 2015 Finals MVP is not considered a great threat from three, he is still a respectable enough threat where defenses have to respect him. Unlike Portland’s previous forwards, if the opposition does dare Iguodala to beat them, he has shots like this in the arsenal, which I doubt any NBA team will forget.

As much of a good fit Iguodala is on Portland, Gallinari could be even better.

Gallinari is easily one of the most versatile offensive players in the NBA. Not many players at his size (6-foot-9) can provide his skillset. He is a deadeye shooter, knocking down 37.6% of his attempts from deep throughout his career and 43.3% of his shots last year. Able to hit shots both standing still and on the move, Gallinari can only boost the Trail Blazers’ offense.

At a usage of 23.7% (similar to the like of De’Aaron Fox and Caris LeVert), Gallinari had a true shooting percentage of 63.3% at his lowest minute output since the 2014-15 season, proving himself as one of the NBA’s more efficient scorers.

With his size and IQ, Gallinari can be a solid team defender. On Portland he would likely have to guard the mismatch nightmares of the league, but no one can truly stop them so it does not really matter too much.

As long as Gallinari can stay healthy, a serious concern when you take a look at his games missed over his career, he could be the piece that takes Portland over the edge.

Next. How Portland is designed to defeat the Clippers. dark

The market for both players will be hot, with many teams looking at the forwards as pieces to take their team onto the next step. Whether the Blazers get the chance to acquire Iguodala, Gallinari, both, or neither, the opportunity to add high level veterans should not be something to scoff on. These two could potentially be key pieces for a title team, why not Portland?