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Portland Trail Blazers way-too-early 2020 free agency wishlist

By Austin Carroll

PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 09: Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Andre Iguodala #28 of the Miami Heat have a conversation in the second quarter during their game at Moda Center on February 09, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 09: Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Andre Iguodala #28 of the Miami Heat have a conversation in the second quarter during their game at Moda Center on February 09, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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With the NBA trade deadline passed, it’s time to look ahead to the future to see how the Portland Trail Blazers can create a true contender.

Yesterday, we discussed how the Portland Trail Blazers will have significant flexibility this summer in building a strong supporting cast around their starting lineup. Armed with approximately $12.5 million in cap space, a middling first-round draft pick, and the Mid-Level Exception, Portland could bring in three quality players while retaining the entirety of their current core.

The Trail Blazers’ bench is scoring the fewest points per game of any team in the league, at a miserable clip of 26.6 points per game. Portland’s second unit also holds the league’s third-worst Plus/Minus rating, barely edging out the lowly Hawks and Warriors.

Free agency presents the perfect opportunity for this franchise to patch up the league’s worst bench. But to properly address their issues, they must correctly identify where the faults are first.

Here are three areas I believe Neil Olshey would be wise to address this summer, and a handful of ideal targets at each position.

1. Primary playmaker for the second unit

Ideal Targets:

While this free agent class may be devoid of superstars like last summer’s, there is a plethora of veteran talent waiting to be plucked up by contenders for cheap. Teague, Dragic, and Jackson have decades of collective NBA experience, cementing their places in the league by being willing passers and dependable shooters.

Considering Anfernee Simons has significantly struggled to become the playmaker the Trail Blazers need, utilizing their cap space to bring in a floor general that can boost the bench’s play seems like a smart investment of their cap space.

2. Spark plug off the bench

Ideal Targets:

While I strongly believe Nassir Little could follow in the vein of Al-Farouq Aminu and Maurice Markless to become the defensive backbone of this Trail Blazers team, I’m not certain that change can happen in the span of one summer. Little’s offensive inconsistencies are also cause for concern if Portland wants to make a playoff push.

It would be wise to pickup a go-to scorer to help revitalize this second unit that has struggled mightily to put the ball in the hoop. If the team wants to bring Carmelo back, they will have the financial means to do so. However, whether or not he would accept a bench role remains to be seen.

There’s plenty of other great options on the market though. Bryn Forbes has shot 40.2 percent from deep over the last three seasons, and has the ability to create his own looks. Jae Crowder has also had a sort of career renaissance this year and could provide a defensive edge while also being a reliable scorer.

3. Frontcourt depth

Ideal Targets:

While they have each had their moments this season, Caleb Swanigan, Wenyen Gabriel, and Skal Labissiere are not names you want anchoring a contender’s frontcourt. You wouldn’t even want Mario Hezonja and Moses Brown sniffing the rotation. But that’s been reality for the Trail Blazers this season. Making a move to bolster the frontcourt should be among Portland’s top priorities this summer.

There will be a lot of talented options on the table as well. While other teams are focused in on the upper tier of free agents like Anthony Davis, Andre Drummond, Paul Millsap, and Marc Gasol, Olshey could make the savvy move to strike early on a mid-tier name.

In my opinion, Christian Wood would be one of the best pickups Portland could grab for their money. The big man is averaging 14.7 points and 7.1 rebounds off the bench in 2020 and holds a higher future trajectory than other veteran options present. I doubt many Trail Blazers fans will soon forget his 26 point implosion on February 23.

Next. Analyzing Portland's remaining schedule and playoff chances. dark

Even if they fail in pursuit of Wood, grabbing strong defensive low post presence than can still shoot well like Serge Ibaka or Aron Baynes would be a great consolation prize. While most teams either spent big last summer or save up for the 2021’s star-studded free agency period, the Trail Blazers have a unique opportunity here to dominate the market and pick up talent worthy of a real contender.