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Portland Trail Blazers: Three perfect power forward options in free agency

By Stevie Cozens

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 14: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball during the first quarter against the LA Clippers at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 14, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 14: Danilo Gallinari #8 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball during the first quarter against the LA Clippers at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 14, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. 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 Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers power forward option two – Dario Saric

Dario Saric could be a perfect power forward next to Jusuf Nurkic.

Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in the process era, Saric had a solid first two years in the NBA. After running a close second in the rookie of the year race in 2016/17, Saric had a huge 2017/18 playoffs.

Sadly though, he was shipped out to the struggling Minnesota Timberwolves the next season, where he failed to make an impact on a terrible team. Then, the next season, he was traded by the Wolves on draft night to the Phoenix Suns. This year, Saric was a lot more efficient and played some excellent basketball on a Suns team that surprised in certain parts of the year. Saric was at his best in the bubble, averaging 15 points a game on over 50 percent from three.

Saric is a pure offensive center who at six-foot-ten can shoot it, play in the post, and is a great passer. He doesn’t offer any rim protection, but he plays hard on that end and is a good rebounder.

Saric isn’t great around the rim, but he is improving there, and he is a career 36 percent shooter from three. He is the type of guy who, if left to develop, can probably be a starting four on a good team.

On the Blazers, he would fit nicely next to Nurkic because of Nurk’s defensive prowess. Having a floor stretching four who could initiate offense and spot up from the corner would make a big difference to this Blazers offense. A six-foot-ten forward who could screen for Lillard and then pop out to the three-point line.

I would commit a decent portion of the Blazers mid-level to Saric if that were what it took. A three-year deal between $6 and $9 million with a player option may get it done for both sides.