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Portland Trail Blazers: Grading every move of the 2021 off season

By Stevie Cozens

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 26: Ben McLemore #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers releases the ball against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center on April 26, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 26: Ben McLemore #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers releases the ball against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center on April 26, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. 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 Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /
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The Portland Trail Blazers now have 13 players under contract, after signing recent NBA Draftee Greg Brown. Brown was the 43rd pick in the Draft and his signing was recently announced by the team.

As general manager Neil Olshey likes to go into the season with only 14 players under contract in case he needs to make a two-for-one trade, the team is likely only one player away from being complete. There could be a trade still, but for now, the team is close to complete.

With the squad locked in, let’s grade every move of the Portland Trail Blazers 2021 off-season.

Move #1 – Trade for the 43rd pick from the New Orleans Pelicans, and draft Greg Brown

The Blazers came into the 2021 NBA Draft without a pick of their own in either the first or second round, after trading away their 2021 first to get Robert Covington last year, and sending their 2021 second out to get Rodney Hood back in 2019.

Not having any assets on Draft night has never stopped Olshey though, and on the night he sent cash and a 2026 second-round pick out to select Greg Brown out of Texas.

Brown is a raw six-foot-nine power forward, and a 2019/20 McDonald’s All-American who is still only 19-years-old. With the Blazers lack of true power forwards and athleticism on the roster, Brown makes sense long-term as a prospect who could guard a few positions and maybe stretch the floor as well.

But, as the Blazers are trying to contend right now, is it the best use of assets to give up a second-rounder who can’t play rotation minutes for a few years? The pick itself has value, but I’m not sure if that should be the Blazers strategy.

Grade B-