Portland Trail Blazers: 3 power forwards to target in 2022 NBA free agency
By Andy Quach
Portland Trail Blazers power forward free agency target: Eric Paschall
Eric Paschall proved he belonged in the NBA when he featured for a Golden State Warriors team that suddenly found themselves without Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant.
With the Warriors, he played beyond his years as a rookie, shouldering a lot of the offensive burden that was suddenly thrust upon him. In his first year, he put up 14 points per game and wound up on the 2019-2020 All-Rookie First Team along with Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, Kendrick Nunn, and Brandon Clarke.
Clearly, a couple of those youngsters have continued to advance at a faster pace than the others.
Still, Paschall has been a requisite professional in every year of his career thus far, despite landing in situations that halted his growth.
This season with the Utah Jazz, he’s averaging his career-low in minutes with just under 13 per outing.
Even with inconsistent playing time, he’s shown stark improvements as a jump shooter while still providing a solid interior presence on both ends of the court and the boards.
On the year, he’s made 36 triples at a 38 percent clip.
Still only 25 years old, Paschall has plenty of time to grow his game. At the very least, he could prove to be a solid 3-and-D wing who can match up defensively against most power forwards. His scoring touch inside will be an attractive asset for the Trail Blazers bench, as well.