Grading the Portland Trail Blazers’ 2022 offseason transactions

Portland resigns center Drew Eubanks

Portland needed a backup for Nurkić. Drew Eubanks, who signed four 10-day contracts with Portland during the 2021-22 season after being waived by Toronto, filled in nicely for the injured Nurkić, averaging 14.5 points and 8.5 rebounds in 22 games.

It seems though another center should have been brought in as well. A center like Dwight Howard, who, surprisingly, is still available. Again, Eubanks filled in very well, but another center besides Eubanks is desperately needed, especially if Nurkić were to go down. It would be a long season if Eubanks and Watford are the only options at center. This is given a B.

Free agent Gary Payton II signs

A champion point guard is signed to backup Lillard. A backup for Lillard has been desperately needed. Has Lillard had a decent backup? Yes, Simons could be counted as that, but a defensive one like Gary Payton II? Signing him gives Portland’s defense being a lockdown defender.

Not only can Payton II play at the one but also the two and three if need be. A member of the Golden State Warriors championship team, he averaged 7.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 17.8 minutes. To say Golden State will miss and regret not resigning him would be the biggest understatement.

Portland’s signing of this backup point guard is given an A+ and can give Dame breaks and rests throughout games without wondering who will relieve him and what might happen without him on the court. No need to worry about that with Payton II out there.

The Portland Trail Blazers’ overall grade

I give the Blazers’ 2022 offseason is a B+. More could have and should have been done to improve the roster. Yes, it has been upgraded. Yes, General Manager Joe Cronin could have done more to fill the holes, but, at this point, the roster will be as we see it going forward.

Will all of this be enough to clinch a playoff spot? In my opinion, yes, it is likely. Are they serious contenders? No, that’s probably not likely as of now. MGM Sports Book currently has Portland’s odds at 8000+ for winning the championship and 4000+ of winning the Western Conference.

But then again, they have the Lakers at +1000 to win it all and +500 for the West. Remember how they finished last season? Did they really do anything this offseason to improve their chances to win it?

Perhaps the odds makers don’t know a thing and puts teams where they want them. Most experts believe the Blazers will finish tenth and in the Play-In Tournament. They will be better than tenth, especially if everyone can stay healthy and with a re-signed, happier Lillard. This will be a fun team to watch, but fans will have to show patience.