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Portland Trail Blazers: 3 crucial roster deadlines to watch for in October

By Marlow Ferguson Jr.

Aug 11, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Zach Collins (33) high fives forward Mario Hezonja (44) after making a three point basket against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of a NBA game at The Field House. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 11, 2020; Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Zach Collins (33) high fives forward Mario Hezonja (44) after making a three point basket against the Dallas Mavericks during the first half of a NBA game at The Field House. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Portland Trail Blazers
(Trevor Ariza, Portland Trail Blazers) Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 3: Ariza’s contract becomes guaranteed if on the roster after Oct. 18

Over a 21-game stint with the Trail Blazers, Trevor Ariza left little room for dispute in regards to his ability to contribute as a 34-year-old. Whether or not Portland should keep him around at $12.8 million, though, has become more a divisive issue.

Given the short sample size, and injuries the Blazers were subjected to in 2019-20, one could argue that they were a different team once Ariza arrived. The Blazers went 8-6 in games in which Ariza was paired with Lillard and McCollum, and the starting lineup of Hassan Whiteside, Carmelo Anthony, Ariza, McCollum, and Lillard produced a healthy +5.6 over 230 minutes.

The big question now becomes: do the Trail Blazers feel as though they can do something better, or add more youth with that $12.8 million, even with only $1.8 million of that is guaranteed?

A month ago, I wrote about Carmelo Anthony’s importance this offseason, and how deeply his reverence runs around the league, particularly with the younger generations, and partially because he’s become a journeyman over the back-half of his career. Whether or not that actually draws in potential suitors isn’t something I have knowledge of, but given the fraternization that the NBA is, it could be something to look into.

Ariza has been the player to add into trades in clickbait article ideas across the league. The versatile forward contributed 11.0 points per game, 4.8 rebounds, and 1.6 steals per game on 49-40-87 percentage splits this past season. And more intangibly, he added championship experience and grit, doing so without taking shots away from Portland’s offensive stars.

Given how awkward this season has been — it’s likely next year will be the 2021-21 season, instead of 2020-21 — there’s a chance this could be pushed back. But for the time being, there hasn’t been a word on it. Thankfully, Ariza feels like a safe investment, regardless of what happens.