Portland Trail Blazers: 4 players to avoid during the 2020-21 free agency frenzy

Under the assumption that Hassan Whiteside isn’t on board with a pay cut that keeps him in Portland, the Trail Blazers could have their hands full in finding a capable replacement. This year’s free agent power forward and center class is waist-trainer-thin, especially once you get beyond the “headliners” — Serge Ibaka, Christian Wood, Davis Bertans, etc.

ESPN’s Bobby Marks projected Patrick Patterson to be a potential minimum-salary pickup for suitors this offseason. He certainly wouldn’t be the worst pickup; in fact, he, like Forbes, has a place in the NBA. But, he doesn’t quite fit what the Portland Trail Blazers need to be checking off, especially in the frontcourt.

It’s evident on tape that Patterson doesn’t quite have the speed he once did to cover ground on the perimeter. In his heyday, he was one of the NBA’s most reliable defenders in pick-and-roll switches in Oklahoma City. But at age 31, he’s begun to look the part, relegating himself to matchups against slower bigs, where he’s often undersized.

Portland leaving itself vulnerable with slew-footed bigs is a story we’ve seen all too often. Culture and personality-wise, Patterson could be a fit. He knows his role; 172 of his 233 shot attempts came from beyond the arc a season ago, which certainly helped his efficiency. And, he showed the ability to contribute, regardless of whether he played 30 minutes or 30 seconds.

But, at this point, he’s indistinguishable from a mannequin out on the perimeter. Long in need of energy and defensive intensity, the Blazers can get a bit more “nasty” than Patterson this offseason.

If the likes of Aron Baynes and Nerlens Noel are available for a similar bill, they likely deserve the consideration first.