3 players the Portland Trail Blazers missed out on in free agency
By Andy Quach
The Portland Trail Blazers seem to be just about wrapped up with free agency. If they don’t acquire anymore additions, they’ll enter the season just below the luxury tax line, avoiding the dreaded repeater tax.
With that in mind, the team’s reported preference to not use their mid-level exception, and the lack of remaining talent in the free agent pool, it seems increasingly likely that the Blazers will start the 2021-2022 NBA season with their currently constructed roster.
Aside from re-signing Norman Powell to a very team-friendly, long-term contract, Portland’s signings of Cody Zeller, Ben McLemore, and Tony Snell made for a pretty uninspiring offseason to say the least. While it’s understandable that the team was strapped for cash and making splashier moves would have been pretty difficult, there were a few deals that Neil Olshey whiffed on.
The Portland Trail Blazers missed the chance to sign some affordable talent in free agency
1. Otto Porter Jr.
Otto Porter Jr. was likely to take a pay cut after his tumultuous run with the Chicago Bulls, but it wasn’t expected for him to sign for just his eligible veteran’s minimum.
Perhaps he thought that he could rebuild his value while also competing for the title with the Golden State Warriors. Call me crazy, but I would expect General Manager Neil Olshey to be able to convince OPJ to do just that except in Rip City.
Porter’s injury history and his added bulk have seemingly sapped away from his athleticism and effectiveness as a 3-and-D specialist.
Despite the foot fracture he suffered in Chicago, Porter Jr. still showed enough to be a desirable asset for the Trail Blazers. Since leaving the Washington Wizards, he’s made 141 triples on a stellar 40 percent shooting. If he can regain the lateral quickness that has been missing since his foot injury, he’ll easily become a major two-way player on the wings again.
At just under $2.4 million, he would have been an unbelievable pickup for the Blazers and I wouldn’t be surprised if he earns a significant raise playing with the Warriors next season. If Olshey and the Blazers brass didn’t put in at least a call for OPJ, they’ll be kicking themselves all of next year.