From top to bottom, the Portland Trail Blazers organization is aligned on the need to add shooting as the top offseason priority. Without a pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, the easiest route to address that glaring need could be via trade.
But don't count out Portland in free agency, either. They have a $15.1 million mid-level exception and should use it to target a sharpshooter.
Blazers look to add shooting this summer
The Los Angeles Lakers have two intriguing options in Rui Hachimura and Luke Kennard, both of whom hovered around 44 percent from beyond the arc this season. However, the Lakers' postseason was very telling for the two soon-to-be free agents.
Hachimura boosted his market value in a major way, and could have just priced himself out of Portland's range, considering he's already making $18.3 million.
Meanwhile, Kennard was a huge defensive liability for the Lakers. They were drastically better without him throughout the series against Oklahoma City. Portland can help cover those limitations with its defensive identity, but do they really want a weak link out there if they're trying to become an elite defensive team?
Portland's best free agency option may not be the Lakers; it may actually be the San Antonio Spurs, particularly Harrison Barnes.
Harrison Barnes is a realistic free agent target for Portland
The former NBA champion has been trending downwards since being benched for Julian Champagnie in January. He's essentially become a non-factor in the postseason, averaging 2.7 points in just 10.1 minutes per game.
Still, that limited 10-game sample size can't overshadow what Barnes has accomplished in the regular season and throughout his underrated career in general. This disappointing finish to the season could bode well for Portland as they look for a buy-low opportunity to address their shooting this summer. His recent postseason disappearance doesn't diminish the fact that he's a career 38.5 percent shooter from downtown.
Barnes would not only help address Portland's floor-spacing issue but also provide them with much-needed forward depth. The Blazers are already shallow at the wing, and now have to navigate an uncertain offseason with Jerami Grant a trade candidate and Matisse Thybulle set to hit free agency. Their other wing options include Kris Murray and Sidy Cissoko, both of whom were sub-30 percent three-point shooters this season.
They desperately could use a more reliable sharpshooter like Barnes. Portland has aspirations of a deep playoff run next season, and having another veteran with that experience of winning at the highest level would certainly help. If Portland decides to fix its shooting via free agency, Harrison Barnes is a realistic target to pursue.
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