Portland Trail Blazers: 3 power forwards to target in 2022 NBA free agency

Portland Trail Blazers power forward free agency target: Bobby Portis

Bobby Portis proved to be an essential addition for the Milwaukee Bucks’ title run last year and was somehow retained on a team-friendly deal worth under $9 million total, with the second year being a player option.

If Portis planned to ball out with a contender again, decline his option, and try to seek a bigger paycheck, then it’s all coming together for the former Arkansas Razorback.

This season, he’s averaging 15.7 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks per game, while stroking 41 percent of his deep tries.

With Brook Lopez’s injury, Portis has found himself starting alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo to form one of the most formidable frontcourts in the league. While he’s excelling as their starting center, he might be able to do even more damage back in his natural spot as a power forward.

Now that he’s established himself as a certified stretch-big, he’ll be able to punish smaller defenders on the block if he returns to the four-spot.

If the Trail Blazers fail to land a starting-level power forward via trade or the draft, Portis could be one of the best “bang for your buck” options on the market. Even if they do land a starter before free agency, Bobby could relaunch his Sixth Man of the Year campaign in Portland.

Lord knows he’d be the best backup big the Blazers have had in a long time.

Portis’s player option is worth the same as Jeff Green’s at $4.5 million, according to spotrac. The Blazers should try to convince him to decline that figure and play in Portland for a small raise.