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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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(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

Damian Lillard pairing two – Jeff Green

Jeff Green, recently of the Houston Rockets, is a six-foot-eight power forward who can play a little bit of backup center and a little bit of back up small forward.

The Utah Jazz cut green in the 2019/20 season after they needed to bring in injury re-enforcements for another position. Teams didn’t jump at the chance to sign him, but maybe they should have acted faster, as when he was signed by the Rockets, he ended up being one of their best role players.

Playing a mix of the four and five, Green averaged 13.4 points, and 6.4 rebounds as the Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the playoffs. As a small-ball big, Green used his massive seven-one wingspan and 240-pound frame to protect the rim while also shooting an elite 42.6 percent from three in the 12 playoff games he played.

Green may get slightly more than the minimum on his next deal, but at age 34, it’s not likely to be a big payday. Over the last few years, his playoff performances have shown he still has value in this league as a backup forward though.

With the Blazers having no proven power forwards on their roster, I like Green as a backup who could play between 20 and 25 minutes a night. He wouldn’t be a starter, but with ample playoff experience and a game that is well rounded on both ends of the court, he could be the swingman that this team has lacked in the frontcourt.

Dame needs players who can knock down open shots and play passable defense. If Green is cheap, I’d be jumping at the chance to sign him if I was Neil Olshey.