Portland Trail Blazers bargain free agent #5 – Jarred Vanderbilt
Jarred Vanderbilt is a 22-year-old big man who just had the best season of his career for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Still only 22, Vanderbilt would fit into the backup or third big spot that Harry Giles had last season.
Though he is just six-foot-nine, his seven-foot-one wingspan means he can match up well with opposition bigs while being mobile enough not to get burned on the perimeter.
Vanderbilt is an energy rim running big who can rebound, defend and finish at the rim.
As his market will likely be on the veterans minimum, Vanderbilt could be a nice backup big, not just for 2022 but maybe long-term.
Portland Trail Blazers bargain free agent #6 – Stanley Johnson
Stanley Johnson’s NBA career hasn’t really reached the heights that some thought after being drafted with the number eight pick and then famously checked LeBron James in a playoff series way back in 2016. His role waxed and waned on a dysfunctional Detroit Pistons team, and his offensive game never really came on.
But, still only 25, he has room to grow to maybe be a back of rotation guy. This is mainly because of his defense. With a massive body at six-foot-six and 240 pounds, to go with a six-foot-eleven wingspan, Johnson can defend some of the league’s biggest wings and forwards.
He has always improved his team’s defenses with his penchant for forcing turnovers and blocking shots. If his shooting ever comes on, it remains to be seen, but if the Blazers want wing defense off the bench that will come cheap, Johnson can be their man.