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Portland Trail Blazers: 5 valuable veteran free agents to target in 2020

By Stevie Cozens

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Jared Dudley #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers uses the Hyperice Hypervolt during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 29: Jared Dudley #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers uses the Hyperice Hypervolt during the third quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round against the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2020 NBA Playoffs at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 29, 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 Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers veteran target four – Jared Dudley

Jared Dudley recently won his first championship, with the Los Angeles Lakers. The 35-year-old Dudley is one of the most respected veterans in the league.

Though he is only an 8 – 20 minute a night type of guy, Dudley can still play minutes in the NBA dependent on matchups or injuries.

He has shot 39.3 percent from three in his career, and he is an underrated defender who can guard the bigger fours and some fives.

Dudley provides championship experience and 13 years of NBA experience. He is certainly a veterans minimum candidate, but that doesn’t mean that he wouldn’t add value to this team.

In the 2019/20 season, Lillard was publicly frustrated by center Whiteside lackadaisical defense. The Blazers need personnel that can lead by example on that end, by setting a standard for the young players.

Empty counting stats don’t help the Blazers at this point, they need to build a team with people who have the mentality of Dudley.

As a backup four, I would be comfortable playing him between 10 and 16 minutes a night. He can pass, he shoots the three well, and he forces turnovers with his smarts and IQ. Though post defense isn’t as important as what it once was, the Blazers wouldn’t lack for size or strength if they brought Dudley in.

A one-year minimum deal could be enough to get him to town.