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Portland Trail Blazers: 5 Free Agents to sign in 2020 Free Agency

By Stevie Cozens

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Harry Giles III #20 of the Sacramento Kings looks on in the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Golden 1 Center on February 20, 2020 in Sacramento, California. 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 Daniel Shirey/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 20: Harry Giles III #20 of the Sacramento Kings looks on in the first half against the Memphis Grizzlies at Golden 1 Center on February 20, 2020 in Sacramento, California. 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 Daniel Shirey/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Jonah Bolden

Australian Jonah Bolden is probably a name that Blazers fans aren’t familiar with, but as a 23-year-old big man, he shouldn’t be cast onto the NBA’s scrap heap just yet.

Drafted 36th by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2017, he seemed to be finding his way in the NBA in the 2018/19 season after not playing at all in the 2017/18 year.

Post the All-Star break, he averaged 6.4 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 38 percent from three. After a small role though in last year’s playoffs, he was basically out of the rotation this year when Tobias Harris was re-signed, and Al Horford was brought in.

As a six-foot-eight power forward, Bolden is exciting to watch on the court. He can shoot it, and his athleticism means he can finish well at the rim. He, like many of the other players drafted in Philly outside of Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, found themselves in situations where things just haven’t worked out developmentally.

With the Blazers being close to capped out from 2021 onwards, they need to take chances on guys like Bolden. He would be cheap as well. A one-year minimum deal at around $2.5 million would probably be enough to secure his services, and then give them an athletic forward who can stretch the floor.

Bolden can defend the rim and shoot the three, and there isn’t likely to be massive competition for his services. Also, if he was only signed on the minimum, they don’t need to use any of their precious cap space on him.