Trail Blazers' proposed "realistic offseason target" is a slap in the face

Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey recently released an article highlighting one dream and one realistic offseason target for every NBA team. The proposed targets make sense for almost every team except the Portland Trail Blazers.

As Bailey mentioned in the article, the Blazers' potential spending budget this offseason is $5.2 million, the taxpayer's mid-level exception (TME). The Blazers are limited in free-agency moves they can make this offseason. Additionally, they must make a trade to get out of the luxury tax and first apron for the 2024-25 season. 

Bailey mentions Keldon Johnson as Portland's "dream target." Johnson would be a great addition to the Blazers and elevate their roster in multiple aspects with his well-rounded game. However, the Blazers' proposed "realistic target" is Killian Hayes, who wouldn't be a great addition. 

"Realistic target" Killian Hayes doesn't make sense for the Blazers

There are several reasons why the Blazers shouldn't take on someone like Hayes with their MLE. For one, the Detroit Pistons, also a rebuilding team, released the 22-year-old Hayes. Generally speaking, it is wise to avoid players released by the last-place team in the NBA.

More specifically, though, Hayes doesn't fill a need for Portland. Hayes needs to improve as a shooter to have a long NBA career. So far, he has shot below 30 percent from three in each of his four seasons. The Blazers, who finished last in the league in three-point percentage, don't need to get even worse at shooting.

Additionally, Portland has a stockpile of guards. If they want to take a flyer on a young, lengthy guard, it would make more sense to bring back Dalano Banton. Picking up Banton's team option instead of signing Hayes would allow them to spend their MLE elsewhere.

Hayes does have some potential if he can ever figure out his shot. He's still only 22 and has excellent length as a 6-foot-5 guard. Some team might take a flyer on him, but it shouldn't be Portland. The Blazers only have enough cap flexibility this offseason to bring on one impactful player in free agency. They shouldn't use their one opportunity on someone who can't shoot and doesn't fill a positional need.