The Trail Blazers have a projected $21.3 million in available cap space this offseason. As a result, Portland’s front office will have a lot of decisions to make regarding the future of players on expiring contracts, notably Jerami Grant, Cam Reddish, and Matisse Thybulle.
However, one thing is for sure – all the moves the Blazers make from here on out will be to get Damian Lillard more help. They’ve been straddling the line between contending and rebuilding for too long and seem set on trying to build toward becoming a contender this offseason.
While they won’t have a ton of cap space, they can still add some players for relatively cheap to fill positional needs and roster weaknesses. Here are some veterans at every position that could fit in well in Portland.
Pesky point guards
Patrick Beverley
Beverley is a defensive-minded veteran that would fit in well coming off the bench to spell Lillard. He brings energy, experience, and defense, which would improve team weaknesses and complement the other Blazers players well.
While he’s certainly a controversial player that fans will likely have a strong opinion about, Pat Bev will win you over with his competitive spirit when he’s on your team. Teammate DeMar DeRozan even hilariously said that Beverley “sleeps aggressively.”
With the Blazers looking to add more veterans to the roster this season, they should consider Beverley.
Jevon Carter
Carter is what you’d expect as a player out of Bob Huggins’ West Virginia system. He’s a solid defender that moves his feet well and puts tremendous pressure on whoever he’s guarding.
An underrated aspect of Carter’s game is his shooting ability. He’s had a minor breakout season with the Milwaukee Bucks this year, shooting 42.1 percent from three.
Like Beverley, Carter would eat up minutes nicely off the bench and provide that much-needed defensive catalyst the Blazers missed this season.
Versatile shooting guards to play alongside Blazers current core
Portland already has excellent depth at the shooting guard position between sharpshooter Anfernee Simons and up-and-coming star Shaedon Sharpe. However, the Blazers still could find someone in free agency that could help improve their roster.
Signing another shooting guard could be beneficial for two reasons.
First, the NBA is becoming much more positionless. These shooting guards mentioned are adaptable enough to play alongside the likes of Simons or Sharpe.
Second, it would allow them to pursue a trade involving Simons or Sharpe. If Portland wants another bonafide star to pair with Lillard, Simons or Sharpe might have to be included in the trade package. Having another reliable shooting guard could make them feel more comfortable making a blockbuster move.
Donte DiVincenzo
Donte DiVincenzo could be a great fit as a combo guard. Whether playing alongside Lillard, Simons, or Sharpe, DiVincenzo can complement any `of those guards well. He’s an ideal role player that defends well, provides excellent energy, and can shoot and create plays when needed.
Bruce Brown Jr.
Bruce Brown Jr. has a great all-around game as a two-way player that can play either shooting guard or small forward. Depending on how the rest of the Blazers’ offseason shakes out, Brown Jr. could even start at small forward if he were to sign.
He’s had an excellent season for the Denver Nuggets, averaging 11.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. Brown Jr. would be a great fit as someone who can provide some of everything.
Josh Okogie
Okogie is a great defender and rebounder for his position. Similar to Brown Jr., Okogie could also play small forward if needed. He’s a great defender and rebounder for his 6-foot-4 size.
Okogie’s strengths and weaknesses are similar to Matisse Thybulle’s as both are defensive-minded players. However, Okogie could be cheaper in free agency and should be considered if that’s the case.
Offensive and defensive threats at the three spot
Both Reddish and Thybulle are restricted free agents. As a result, small forward is arguably the Blazers’ most prominent position of need.
There are rumors of the Blazers trading their first-round pick to attain a veteran to help them win now, and a small forward would be an excellent position for them to bolster.
However, they could also address their wing needs via free agency. The following players should be targeted as good two-way options.
Kelly Oubre Jr.
Oubre Jr. quietly had a good season for the Hornets, averaging 20.3 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals on 43/32/76 shooting splits. His 7-foot-2 wingspan allows him to create havoc defensively, as evidenced by his steal count.
While Oubre Jr. needs to improve his shooting to be considered a true three-and-D player, his length and athleticism would help make up for the undersized guard duo of Lillard and Simons on defense.
Jae Crowder
Crowder’s price tag may be too steep if Portland retains Grant, but he makes the list nonetheless as an ideal three-and-D candidate. For his career, Crowder averages 1 steal a game and shoots 34.8 percent from deep.
In addition, he’s a veteran who would provide the missing defensive toughness and identity this current Blazers roster needs.
Athleticism and activity at the four
The following power forwards are dynamic because they aren’t prototypical back-to-the-basket bigs. Instead, they’re athletic players that can play either the small forward or power forward position.
On offense, they’re capable slashers and offensive rebounders. In addition, they’re also floor spacers that can stretch out beyond the arc.
Defensively, they are more versatile than traditional bigs due to their athleticism and ability to guard multiple positions.
Rui Hachimura
In the Los Angeles Lakers’ first playoff game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Hachimura scored 29 points and was a huge reason they won. He’s a good scorer and rebounder with an athletic 6-8, 230-pound frame.
Rui’s versatility and energy would be great as a spark plug off the bench if Grant comes back as the starter.
Torrey Craig
Craig has a big 6-7, 221-pound frame. He’s a good rebounder, averaging 5.4 rebounds this season in 24.7 minutes. Craig also has shot 39.5 percent from three this season.
With star guards Lillard and Simons, shooting is the Blazers’ team strength and identity. If Craig can continue to hover around 40 percent from downtown, he would be an excellent addition to that identity while adding much-needed size.
Craig is a good candidate to target in free agency as someone who can fill minutes off the bench with his size, energy, and ability to stretch the floor.
Defensive-minded big men
The center position is a controversial subject for Trail Blazers fans. One train of thought is that Portland desperately needs to upgrade at the position to find someone more versatile and defensive-minded than Jusuf Nurkic.
Others believe that they should stick with Nurkic, in large part because of his low trade value relative to his talent.
Time will tell what they do with Nurkic, but center is a position the Blazers can upgrade regardless.
Brook Lopez
Lopez is a Defensive Player of the Year candidate for a good reason this season. He finished the year with 2.5 blocks and 0.5 steals, with 15.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.3 assists on 53/37/78 shooting splits.
The Bucks finished the regular season with the NBA’s best record and boasted one of the top defenses, and Lopez played a considerable role in both. He had an 8.7 wins above replacement (WAR) rating and finished with a 6.09 real plus-minus, which was third amongst centers (only behind MVP frontrunners Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic).
Lopez seems content in Milwaukee due to his role and the team’s success, but the Blazers should heavily pursue him if they have the cap space (if Grant doesn’t re-sign) and he’s available.
Lopez is what Portland has been missing as an elite rim protector that can stretch the floor on offense.
Dwight Powell
A cheaper option than Lopez, Powell is also a good defender. He had a 1.2 defensive RAPTOR rating this season. While Powell only averaged 0.3 blocks and 0.6 steals, he does an excellent job of contesting shots and switching out onto smaller guards.
Powell is an under-the-radar free agent that could be a good depth piece within the Blazers’ limited price range.