The Portland Trail Blazers have many needs this offseason, but addressing the center position is likely at the top of their to-do list.
Their lack of depth and defensive presence there is a noticeable gap in the roster. Jusuf Nurkic, the only true center under contract next season, would greatly benefit from having another quality rotational center or two to share the load.
Despite limited cap space, the Blazers can utilize their other available resources, such as the full mid-level exception (MLE) ($12.2 million), minimum contracts, or the bi-annual exception ($4.5 million), to address this need.
Let’s explore four potential free agent fits and their projected impacts.
Christian Wood
Christian Wood is a highly coveted free agent who could provide immediate impact as a rotation big for the Blazers.
Wood could start and have an impact offensively after averaging 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game for the Dallas Mavericks last season. His shooting prowess – he shot 51.5 percent from the floor and 37.6 percent from three in 2022-23 – would add a new dimension to the Blazers’ offense.
Wood’s potential as a scoring option would complement the shooting prowess of Damian Lillard and Anfernee Simons. While securing Wood might require utilizing the full MLE, his skill set and versatility would make him a worthwhile investment for Portland.