Portland needs to blaze a trail for these free agents to return to Rip City

Priority No. 3: Justise Winslow, Drew Eubanks, and Ryan Arcidiacono

In addition to the aforementioned players, the Blazers will need to decide whether or not to offer pending free agents Justise Winslow, Drew Eubanks, and Ryan Arcidiacono contract extensions.

Winslow is a talented player with a diverse skillset that has battled injuries his entire career. He’s been out since Dec. 21 with no signs of returning.

In an NBA.com interview, Winslow said, “I’ve found a home… I don’t want to go anywhere.” If Winslow is willing to return on a reasonable deal of around $3-4 million per year, he could be a nice rotational piece to back up Grant.

Keeping Reddish, Thybulle, and Winslow in town, alongside Nassir Little, would give the Blazers a lot of trade filler options when trying to acquire a star.

Eubanks has been an absolute steal at just a $1,968,175 guaranteed contract this season. He’s done an admirable job filling in for Jusuf Nurkic, and the Blazers should re-sign him as a backup center.

Eubanks brings energy to the lineup and is strong in small-ball lineups as a player who can be disruptive. He’s also averaging 1.2 blocks per game. The Blazers should resign the Trout of Shaq-dale and let him continue putting the opposing team into the vault.

Arcidiacono may not be the flashiest player on the court, but his hard work, energy, basketball IQ, and locker room presence have earned the respect of his coaches and teammates everywhere he’s played.

With Simons out, coach Chauncey Billups has given Arcidiacono some extended playing time when Lillard is resting. However, the fact that Trendon Watford appears to be handling the on-ball duties behind Lillard as often as Arcidiacono shows that he’s not likely a long-term piece for the Blazers.

Although he’s a nice piece to have, the Blazers should let him walk this offseason, unless he wants to come back at the minimum.