It’s looking likely that the Portland Trail Blazers won’t have much cap space in free agency. Keeping this in mind, Which bargain free agents fit the bill?
The Portland Trail Blazers can get to a maximum of $15 million in cap room in the upcoming free agency by moving on from Trevor Ariza and Hassan Whiteside. It’s looking unlikely that they let these two go, but even if they did, $15 million isn’t a lot to spend on the open market.
Considering their needs, and what happens with the above players, they are likely to be playing in the veterans minimum market and slightly above this.
Below, we detail ten players that the Blazers could sign cheaply that would add value to this team.
Bargain free agent #1 – Matthew Dellavedova
Let’s make it clear, no max free agents are signing with this team in the 2020 Free Agency. The Blazers need vets that can help, or young guys that they can buy low on.
Matthew Dellavedova, currently on the Cleveland Cavaliers, fits the bill nicely. He can still run a bench unit as a point guard, and he is tough. He is a good defender, and after a rough start to this year on a dysfunctional Cavs team, he was starting to find some form after the all-star break.
‘ Delly ‘ won’t kill an opposition team on offense, but he is a good passer and a glue guy. He famously went at Stephen Curry in the 2014/15 finals, having the best game of his life while keeping Curry quiet on the biggest stage of all.
He may have lost a step or two since then, but he is still a decent defender and a great team guy. He has amazingly had some of the best defensive net ratings in the league on bad Cavs teams the last two years. He would probably sign at the minimum too – great value for someone with championship experience.
Bargain free agent #2 – Tyler Johnson
Ex-Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat combo guard Tyler Johnson could be a strong option at the minimum for this team next year. He is a career 36 percent shooter from three, offers some defense with good size at six-foot-four, while being able to play make a little.
Johnson got a big deal $50 million dollar deal in the summer of 2016, and after some solid years for the Heat, he was traded to the Suns in 2019. After a quiet 2019/20 season when Ricky Rubio was signed, he was waived in February this year.
Johnson can still help a team with his shot blocking ability, play-making and shooting. He is 28 so still has a lot left in the tank. Having a more experienced combo guard coming off the bench would take a lot of pressure off Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum