3 NBA veterans we’d like to see join the Portland Trail Blazers on a 10-day contract

3. 10-day Trail Blazer we’d like to see: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Out of all the remaining NBA veterans that could make a return to the league, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson would have the easiest time acclimating with the Trail Blazers roster.

He was a full-time player for Portland just last season and even got some significant run in their lone playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. RHJ’s defense and effort are certainly NBA-level. His severe limitations on offense, however, have him wasting away in Turkey right now.

Hollis-Jefferson experienced his best season as an NBA professional playing for the Brooklyn Nets, where they used him primarily as a power forward and small-ball center. On defense, he switched like crazy, capable of standing up to bigs on post-ups, rotating over from the weakside to protect the rim, and run out to the perimeter to close off driving lanes against guards.

On offense that season, the Nets deployed him as a traditional center. He served as the screen setter, rolling to the rim for easy finishes, passing out of the short roll, and catching dump offs in the dunkers spot to finish off plays.

In 2017-2018, serving as one of the Nets’ most important frontcourt pieces, he averaged 17.7 points and 8.6 rebounds per 36 minutes. He also added over two stocks (steals plus blocks).

The Trail Blazers desperately need another big, as well as a lockdown perimeter defender. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is both.

In the right lineups, his offensive limitations can be accounted for if Portland surrounds him with shooters and ball-handlers.

The Trail Blazers should buy him a ticket back from Turkey, and maybe even make it a one-way flight.