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Portland Trail Blazers: 5 backup big men to sign in Free Agency

By Stevie Cozens

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Jeff Green #8 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center at Barclays Center on May 22, 2021 in New York City. 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 Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 22: Jeff Green #8 of the Brooklyn Nets in action against the Boston Celtics in Game One of the First Round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Barclays Center at Barclays Center on May 22, 2021 in New York City. 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 Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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The Portland Trail Blazers have struggled at the big man position for three consecutive seasons. Jusuf Nurkic is the best big this team has had for a while, but with his injury status, foul troubles, and then the long-term injuries to Zach Collins, this team continues to be short-handed in that position.

With no true power forward on the roster, they could do with someone who could play both the four and the five.

Which five backup big men could the Portland Trail Blazers sign in Free Agency?

(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers back up big man option one – Enes Kanter

Enes Kanter is still a great backup option as a big man for this team. Though he isn’t versatile on either end, his game suits the way the Blazers play.

Kanter had one of the best years of his NBA career this season, and if he doesn’t have many suitors and can fit in with the Blazers new coach, he could be a strong signing.

Kanter averaged career highs in field goal percentage, offensive and defensive rebounds in 2021. His combination in the pick and roll with Damian Lillard gave the Blazers many easy buckets during the regular season.

Kanter is one of the best per-minute rebounders to ever play in the NBA, as he has immaculate positioning on the glass. Though he isn’t a good defender, he always plays hard and is consistent on both ends of the court.

The Blazers will likely only have the veteran’s minimum and then the Bi-Annual exception, which will be around $2 million and then $4 million. After Kanter’s stirling 2021 season, neither of these amounts may be enough to bring him back on.

They do have his early-bird rights though, meaning that they can offer the greater of 175% of his previous salary or 105 percent of the estimated average NBA player salary. The average player salary was around $7.5 million this season, so both numbers may be too high.

Kanter has made $100 million in his career, but he is too young to be taking significant discounts or the veterans minimum. It will be interesting to see if he ends up coming back.