Portland Trail Blazers: 5 best free agents to target at small forward

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Portland Trail Blazers small forward target #2 Otto Porter

Otto Porter is looking to spark his NBA career again, after a disappointing stint with the Chicago Bulls temporarily derailed his career.

Finishing the 2021 NBA season with the Orlando Magic, Porter played more games in 2021 than he did in 2020, recouping a little bit of value.

If fit, Porter is still an upper-tier small forward in the NBA. Because he is still only 28, and has the ability to guard forwards, shoot threes and do a little bit of playmaking, he has great value on a potential one-year deal.

Byr, because he only played 40 odd games in the last two seasons, it is likely to be a one-year prove-it deal for Porter. Six-eight forwards that shoot 40 percent from three are pretty rare, the Blazers could definitely use Porter if fit on a cheap deal.

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Portland Trail Blazers small forward target #3 Justise Winslow

Justise Winslow has had a tough last few years after a career-high 2018/19 season followed by a big $39 million extension.

Playing the first five years of his career for the Miami Heat, the six-foot-six Winslow played at Duke before being drafted with the tenth pick back in 2015.

Winslow is a unique player who can ball-handle, defend and shoot. With his six-foot-ten wingspan, he is a hybrid player who can change the way a starting five is built on an NBA team.

One of the best passers at the small forward position, Winslow actually played some point guard for the Heat when they had injury issues.

Sadly, after his peak years of 12 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists on 37.5 percent from three in 2018/19, he has spent much of the last two seasons injured. He returned properly to the court at the end of the Grizzlies season but didn’t play at all in the playoffs.

Because of the injuries he’s suffered over the last few years, he is a project-type player, but on the minimum or slightly more, he would be a good signing. If he can play, he could be the ideal 12 – 20 minutes a night forward off the bench.