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Portland Trail Blazers: Three players to target with trade exception

By Stevie Cozens

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 11: Enes Kanter #11 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball during the fourth quarter against the Grizzlies at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 11, 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 11: Enes Kanter #11 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball during the fourth quarter against the Grizzlies at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 11, 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 Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers exception candidate two – Ed Davis

Ex-Blazers big man Ed Davis was, unfortunately, unable to play a significant role on the Utah Jazz this season because of injury. But, the 31-year-old center still has value in this league if he is fit.

If the Blazers think that he can play after recovering from the MCL injury he suffered in August, the Jazz would likely attach assets to get off him as well. This could mean a second round pick or two, and Davis would effectively be salary dumped.

Though his counting stats don’t jump off the page, Davis is still a solid backup center in this league.

Cast your mind back to the 2019 playoffs, Davis played a massive 25 minutes for the Brooklyn Nets, netting 12 points and 16 rebounds as the Nets upset the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round. Davis matched up well against All-Star big man Joel Embiid and showed he could be a plus big in the playoffs.

Davis is a great rebounder and energy guy off the bench. He finishes well at the rim, and even though he is just six-foot-nine, his athleticism means he can draw shooting fouls at some of the highest rates in the league.

Davis is a good defender and a decent rim protector. He is also a great team guy and plays tough on both ends. Though he doesn’t stretch the floor, he performs all the duties you would expect of a backup center.

If the Blazers need to spend their midlevel exception on a forward, then using the trade exception on Davis could work. Davis also only earns $5 million, and could be brought back in the 2021 season by using his early bird rights