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Portland Trail Blazers: 10 bargain-bin Free Agents to sign in 2021

By Stevie Cozens

DENVER, CO - JUNE 11: Torrey Craig #12 of the Phoenix Suns shoots as he is defended by JaMychal Green #0 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Ball Arena on June 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JUNE 11: Torrey Craig #12 of the Phoenix Suns shoots as he is defended by JaMychal Green #0 of the Denver Nuggets in Game Three of the Western Conference second-round playoff series at Ball Arena on June 11, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. 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 Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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The Portland Trail Blazers enter free agency with many needs but not many funds to fill these needs. They require bench creation, bench defense, a backup big, and more wing help.

With only the bi-annual exception, the smaller version of the mid-level exception, and the veterans minimum available, they will likely only have around $5.5 million as a maximum amount to offer a player. This can be offered over multi-year deals, but the best-case scenario is that the Blazers can offer free agents a maximum of around $5.5 million. This isn’t a lot of money obviously, so they can only go for one strong free agent and then the rest as minimums.

Here are 10 bargain-bin free agents the Portland Trail Blazers can sign in 2021

Portland Trail Blazers bargain free agent #1 – Tony Snell

Though it was on low volume, Tony Snell had one of the greatest shooting seasons of all time this year. The six-foot-six Atlanta Hawks wing shot a scarcely believable 56.9 percent from three.

Though the volume of 109 three-point attempts on the season wasn’t enough to make any leaderboards, Snell is a sniper on low volume who can competently guard opposition twos.

He isn’t going to lock up his opposition, but at six-foot-six with a big six-foot-eleven wingspan, he has great positional size as a backup two / three, as well as playoff experience.

Snell’s market is the minimum this off-season.

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

Portland Trail Blazers bargain free agent #2 – Torrey Craig

Torrey Craig hasn’t had a traditional path to the NBA, but that hasn’t stopped him from being a great defensive stopper in his four seasons in the league.

Playing in New Zealand and Australia, Craig fashioned a name as a tough defender who could finish well at the rim. Now in the conference finals with the Phoenix Suns, Craig has had one of his best NBA seasons.

Standing at six-foot-seven with a seven-foot-wingspan, he is a great shot blocker and rebounder. There are definitely worse shooters out there than Craig, as evidenced by his 33 percent rate from three, higher than Derrick Jones Jr, who is on the Blazers roster at the moment.

Craig is limited offensively, but his nice finishing at the rim combined with great defensive instincts make him a great addition for this team on the veterans minimum.