Caleb Swanigan is unlikely to be on the Portland Trail Blazers post the 2020 season. Who are two veteran replacements that could be signed as back-up bigs?
Back up big man Caleb Swanigan will probably not be on the Portland Trail Blazers roster after the 2020 season is finished.
After being drafted by the Portland Trail Blazers in 2017, then traded away to the Sacramento Kings and traded back to the Blazers in 2020, Swanigan just hasn’t been able to find a place in the league. He had the fourth year of his rookie scale contract declined by the Kings and then he barely played this year for either team.
Every roster spot a team has is crucial to their success, for the Blazers they need to utilise every one as they push to return the playoffs and maximise Damian Lillard‘s prime.
By letting Swanigan walk in Free Agency they have the opportunity to look at backup bigs who can really help.
Trail Blazers replacement for Caleb Swanigan: Marvin Williams
The Blazers need a backup big that can do all the dirty work while not worrying about their shot attempts or how many touches they get. They want a team guy who is ready to win.
Marvin Williams, long-time Charlotte Hornet and now Milwaukee Buck, would fit the bill nicely. We have talked about Williams a few times in either buyout or trade situations.
After six seasons with the Hornets, he was bought out and smartly signed to a veteran’s minimum for the rest of the season by the Bucks. The regular season’s best team saw the value in him and signed him to play a stretch four role with a bit of back up center thrown in as well.
Williams is a tough defender who can rebound well on the defensive end. He can defend fours and fives, and is still mobile enough to get out to the perimeter in certain situations. Though he isn’t a great shot blocker he has strong positioning and long arms to get poke aways and steals.
Offensively he takes care of the ball and he can stretch the floor out to three. He is a decent passer for his size, and most importantly he doesn’t need the ball to be effective.
His price tag is likely to be between $4 and $6 million a year too, a good price for someone who can do everything on the bench that you need from a big man. At age 33, you could sign him for two years quite comfortably.
Trail Blazers replacement for Caleb Swanigan: Aron Baynes
Australian and current Phoenix Sun Aron Baynes has some sort of a cult following on Twitter because of his manbun, toughness and his new found shooting ability over the last few years. Baynes is an example of someone who has changed their game with the popularity of the three-point shot.
Blazers fans know all too well how good Baynes can be. It was only a few months ago that he torched Hassan Whiteside with nine three-pointers.
Baynes, like Williams, has playoff experience with the Boston Celtics and San Antonio Spurs. On the Suns this season he was a big part of the reason they were 7 and 5 before he went down injured. Baynes had career highs in most counting stats categories this season while shooting 35 percent from three on four attempts a game.
Baynes isn’t a great shot blocker either, but he has great defensive positioning, he boxes out well and he is also an expert at drawing charges.
He is a great screen setter and offensive rebounder too. Baynes is really only a center as opposed to Williams who can play the four a bit. But his toughness and willingness to do all the little things on the court makes him a great backup for a playoff team.
He is a free agent this summer and is likely to command an offer between $5 and $8 million due to also being 33-years-old.
The Blazers need to bring in vets who have been on playoff teams and can perform a certain role well. Less spots on the roster should be committed to development this upcoming season. They have enough young guys across the board, now winning should be the main focus.