Portland Trail Blazers: 10 best free agents still on the market

Portland Trail Blazers Free Agent #7 – Paul Millsap

The Blazers are still lacking depth and experience on the defensive end. With Jusuf Nurkic’s injury issues and Covington the only other true defensive piece, maybe adding an experienced big is the best way to spend the last of their precious exceptions.

Paul Millsap is a 14-year NBA veteran with over 100 NBA playoff games under his belt.

He may not be a max player anymore, but he is still a great defender and passer, as well as being an underrated shooter. Millsap won’t be out busting switches in the playoffs, but as a regular-season four and five on a cheap contract, he will give great production and veteran leadership.

He could be a perfect backup big for this team.

Portland Trail Blazers Free Agent #8 – Lauri Markkanen

Though it would have to be a sign and trade where the Blazers sent out Derrick Jones Jr, the Blazers could just choose to go all offense and bring in Finnish big man Lauri Markkanenn.

Markannen may only fit defensively if there was a major trade, but on offense, he could be the perfect pairing with Lillard. At seven-foot-one, and primarily a power forward or occasional small-ball five, he is a marksman with unlimited potential. The Chicago Bulls never got the best out of him, but in the Blazers superior development system, he could be better than ever.

Markannen has a silky smooth jumper while also being able to put the ball on the floor. He shoots lights out from the corners and has a strong body to be able to punish defenders on the other end.

Even though he’s a seven-footer, he isn’t a great defender, so needs a rim protector next to him.

I’m not sure what the Bulls want, but if the Blazers wanted to get bigger and supercharge their offense, Lauri would fit well.