Portland Trail Blazers: 3 best bargain bin free agents at each position

Portland Trail Blazers Veteran Minimum Free Agent Targets: Power Forwards

1. Trey Lyles

Today’s power forwards usually have to be able to play and guard two positions at least, either threes and fours or fours and fives. Trey Lyles belongs in the latter group. He’s one of the few hidden gems who never turned out to be a diamond in the rough with the San Antonio Spurs.

Last season, he fell out of Coach Gregg Popovich’s regular rotation and finished the year on the injured list. Still, he’s a young player who can play both power forward and center, while stretching the floor.

He’s a career 34 percent deep shooter and can play acceptable defense. The Blazers can’t ask for much more with their minimum offer.

2. Semi Ojeleye

Semi Ojeleye is a power forward that can guard any position on the perimeter in spurts. He’s an Adonis with the lateral quickness necessary to contain ball-handlers. Despite his defensive versatility, he wasn’t asked to do much in his time with the Boston Celtics.

Still only 26 years old, Semi has plenty of room to grow. With a tightened handle and a quicker shot release, he can grow into a much more lethal offensive threat. Even if he doesn’t develop his bag, he’ll still provide the Blazers another versatile plus-defender who can hit an open 3-pointer.

3. Patrick Patterson

Patrick Patterson is big, quick, and long enough to guard positions three through five. The Los Angeles Clippers were hoping for that when they re-signed him last offseason.

For whatever reason, he didn’t see the floor much in LA. If he’s acquired by the Blazers though, he’ll be heavily leaned on to supply defense off the bench. He’s also a reliable deep shooter that will retain Portland’s floor spacing when the starters come out of the game. The Blazers could use a veteran with his blend of savvy and toughness off the pine.