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Portland Trail Blazers: 3 free-agent targets for the 2021 season

By Stevie Cozens

MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 4: Jae Crowder #99 of the Memphis Grizzlies warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets on November 4, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TN - NOVEMBER 4: Jae Crowder #99 of the Memphis Grizzlies warms up before the game against the Houston Rockets on November 4, 2019 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. 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 Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Torrey Craig

Denver Nuggets swingman Torrey Craig could be just the man for the Trail Blazers in the next offseason. As we talked about defense and forcing turnovers above, Craig is one guy who comes to mind as a lockdown defensive presence.

He is a free agent in the offseason, and Nuggets management look like they want to stay out of the luxury tax, meaning he could be surplus to requirements. Taking a less travelled path to the NBA via the New Zealand and then Australian NBL competitions, he has established himself as one of the premier defensive stoppers in the NBA over the last few years.

Craig is one of the best shot-blocking wings in the NBA as well as being one of the best rebounders for his position in the league. At six-foot-six with a even bigger wingspan, he has some great per minute production across the board.

He has improved his three-point shot and finishing around the rim from year to year and actually played a bigger role in the playoffs last year too. Though he is only playing 17 minutes a game this season, he will probably have a bigger role with the trade that sent away wing options Juancho Hernangomez and Malik Beasley.

Craig isn’t a bad offensive player, but will never get a massive role on a team due to his limited passing and ball handling abilities. He functions very well as a spot up shooter though and now shoots 35 percent from three, up from 31 percent in his rookie year. Though this is a small sample he takes between two and three shots a game from two-point-range, converting these at an impressive 58 percent for his career.

Craig won’t command the payday Crowder does but he has just turned 29 and has less mileage on the clock. A two-year deal worth $12 million probably gets him across the line and would be team friendly for the Blazers. Primarily playing the three, he would be a great bench option for this team.