Markieff Morris
Markieff Morris would be the perfect backup power forward who could start depending on how he looks in the Los Angeles Lakers playoff run this year.
Morris is on the road to improving his standing in the NBA after injury and limited roles impacted his effectiveness on previous teams. He had a significant role on the Washington Wizards for multiple years, but as they looked to rebuild after the injury to John Wall, he was surplus to requirements. That was the case again this year on the Detroit Pistons, who blew things up after Blake Griffin was ruled out for the season. The Pistons had no reason to keep the 31-year-old Morris around.
On the Lakers, he has started to find his groove as a backup four and five who can play good defense, as well as knocking down the odd shot.
He doesn’t have the value of his brother, but there is no reason that with a more prominent role, he can’t be a stretch four who is a rotation player on a good team.
It isn’t easy to find power forwards who can defend and knock down the three. Morris is a tough defender who shoots the three at a career rate of 34.5 percent.
If the Blazers wanted a backup big who could improve over the life of his contract, then a two-year deal at around $6 – $8 million a year would be ideal for both parties.