Five under-the-radar free agents for the Portland Trail Blazers to consider this offseason

Current Contract: 3-year, $6.6 million contract
Offseason Situation: UFA in 2020 offseason

Perhaps it serves a great irony that for all of Harry Giles’ redeemable traits — his virtuosic court vision and nose for the ball on “nasty,” 50-50 plays — the one thing no one can sense is what his future holds as a Sacramento King.

There’s reason to believe Giles could’ve officially kicked the door on this question. Pre-pandemic, he was in the middle of a streak that included 14 starts in 16 games. And while his net rating (-9.4) was nothing to write home about, his tangible numbers were. Per 36, Giles averaged 17.8 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game on 62.4 percent from the field.

His status beyond this season hangs in the air. Prior to this season’s tip, Sacramento elected to decline Giles’ fourth-year option, thus prompting the former No. 20 pick into a do-or-die-type year.

Giles responded well in spurts, but it’s quite a test in patience. Richaun Holmes is having a breakout season, and with pride in view, the Kings are going to want their full return on investment with Marvin Bagley III. You don’t draft a player like that ahead of Luka Doncic and Trae Young, and then pump the breaks after 75 games.

And thus, there’s where Giles’ flexibility comes into play. Per NBC Sports Sacramento’s James Ham, the most the Kings could offer would be a three-year, $12.9 million, or four years at $17.93. There are probably bigger fish — not literally — to fry, as it relates to Buddy Hield and Bogdan Bogdanovic.

The small window the Portland Trail Blazers’ did have of retaining Hassan Whiteside was hit with a boulder, thanks to the expected salary cap drop with the season cancellation. There’s chatter that Caleb Swanigan could be done shortly in Portland, too. Moses Brown could be a fun project, but if the Blazers want a slightly more proven big, a stab at Giles could be worthwhile.

Call me overzealous, but watching Giles’ passing out of the high post is almost Webber-esque. There doesn’t appear to be a window too tight, a trajectory too low for him, when he’s flinging it there, or along the top of the key to cutters. And, from 2016-17 to 2018-19, the Blazers were among the top 10 in cut frequency.

Health permitted (Giles has played just 98 games since 2017-18), it seems like just the type of player Portland needs. I guess you can say I’m just throwing this out there.