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Portland Trail Blazers: Three lockdown defenders to sign in Free Agency

By Stevie Cozens

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 08: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Sacramento Kings during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on March 08, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 08: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors looks on against the Sacramento Kings during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Golden 1 Center on March 08, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
(Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers lockdown defender signing two – Paul Millsap

35-year old Paul Millsap might not be the most exciting free agent on the market this summer,  but if the Blazers want to improve their porous defense, he may be the best power forward available to do so.

As mentioned above, the Nuggets almost certainly need to let one of their frontcourt free-agents go, and if it were Millsap, I’d be trying to see if he wants to come and play with Damian Lillard on the cheap.

His role has been smaller this year than in previous years, but we saw how important he was in certain games of the Nuggets epic playoff run.

Millsap has long been one of the best defensive big men in the league. With four All-Star nods and one All-Defensive team to his name, he has a long-standing rep as a great help defender and is excellent at forcing turnovers.

At 35-years-old and 250 pounds, he can’t defend the quick threes anymore, but his IQ and great hands make up for any speed he has lost.

Offensively, Millsap’s game has evolved over the years. His three-point shooting has gone from 27 percent to 33 percent and then 38 percent in the three different teams he has played for in the NBA. He also shoots the midrange at around 40 percent and is great at drawing fouls.

Millsap’s excellent passing also makes him stand out from other bigs; he could give the Blazers another initiator from the high post or the perimeter.

Millsap has earnt over $180 million in his career, and if he wants a reduced role on less money, then Portland could be a new home. Maybe a deal longer on years could get it done.