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Portland Trail Blazers: 3 free agents that pair well with Damian Lillard

By Stevie Cozens

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 21: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates after making a basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half in Game Three of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 21, 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - AUGUST 21: Serge Ibaka #9 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates after making a basket against the Brooklyn Nets during the second half in Game Three of the first round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs at The Field House at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 21, 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 Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /
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The Portland Trail Blazers need to spend judiciously in free agency to improve their team. Which 3 free agents would work with star guard Damian Lillard?

Portland Trail Blazers superstar guard Damian Lillard is now firmly in his prime. At age 30, he is a top ten player in the NBA, and the Blazers need to surround him with the talent to ensure that his prime years are maximized. The Blazers need defense, and efficient scoring, to help this team win 50 games and be a strong contender in what will be a stacked Western Conference.

 Which 3 Free Agents would pair well with Damian Lillard?

(Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kim Klement-Pool/Getty Images) /

Damian Lillard pairing one – Serge Ibaka

Serge Ibaka last played for the Toronto Raptors in the 2019/20 season and is a 31-year-old power forward / center.

Ibaka was a key piece in the great Oklahoma City Thunder teams, before being traded to the Orlando Magic and then the Toronto Raptors, where he won a title in the 2018/19 season.

In his early days, Ibaka was the best shot-blocker in the NBA, leading the league in blocks twice while also making three All-Defensive teams. As his other-worldly athleticism has waned slightly, he has worked on his offensive game, and he now has an excellent jumper while still being a great finisher at the rim. Ibaka is one of the best mid-range shooters in the game as a big, averaging over 45 percent in his career from both short, middle, and long mid-range.

He is a free agent now, just coming off a three-year $64 million deal in Toronto.

At age 31, Ibaka still has some strong years left in him. He can’t play massive amounts of minutes in the playoffs due to not being able to switch onto smaller, faster players, but, he can thrive in certain systems.

The Raptors have the pending free agency of Fred Van Vleet, Pascal Siakam’s max deal kicking in, and then OG Anunoby’s rookie extension to negotiate. They also want to keep their cap space on ice to be in the running for Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021 free agency, so they may not be able to bring Ibaka back.

If this is the case, and Ibaka would be happy with mid-level money, I would sign him to a multi-year deal at that number. With the Blazers needing a backup big who can play both the four and the five, he would give the defensive presence alongside Lillard that was missing so often in the 2019/20 season.

I think Ibaka would take years on a contract rather than a higher number on a one or two year deal, and excellent defenders like him can always be used in trades down the line depending on the team’s direction.

With a well-rounded offensive game, Ibaka could be the perfect backup center while playing spot minutes at the four against other big lineups.