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Portland Trail Blazers: 3 Reasons to love the Ben McLemore signing

By Stevie Cozens

PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 07: Ben McLemore #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots during the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on May 07, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 07: Ben McLemore #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers shoots during the second quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on May 07, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
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The Portland Trail Blazers have announced a third signing. Shooting guard Ben McLemore has signed on a veteran’s minimum one-year deal.

This time it wasn’t NBA Insiders Adrian Wojnarowski or Shams Charania reporting, it was Michael Scotto of HoopsHype who first reported the deal, through McLemore’s agent Rich Paul of Klutch Sports.

Though there hasn’t been the blockbuster move that Blazer fans wanted to improve the team, the three signings that Neil Olshey has made, have all been solid.

Here are 3 reasons to love the Portland Trail Blazers signing of Ben McLemore

Reason #1 – the signing is on the veterans minimum

The Blazers cap situation has been explained a few times over the past few months, but the main points are that Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have new deals that kick in this summer, while Norman Powell has been signed to a big $90 million extension in the last 48 hours. The Blazers are right on the tax line and still haven’t used their exceptions.

So signing guys on the cheap is really the only way the Blazers can operate.

By bringing in three players on the minimum who can play bench or backup minutes, the Blazers keep their exceptions live in form of the Bi-Annual and the TaxPayer Exceptions.

With two roster spots still left, the Blazers will likely use one for their midlevel or TPE player, and leave another one open for the season in case of injury, or being able to take two players in, in the case of a two for one trade.