Hoops Habit
Fansided

Portland Trail Blazers: 5 Trends To Keep An Eye On After The All-Star Break

By Aaron Mah

Feb 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) is congratulated by forward Nicolas Batum (88) after making a basket during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward LaMarcus Aldridge (12) is congratulated by forward Nicolas Batum (88) after making a basket during the second quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 6
Next
Portland Trail Blazers' Brain Trust
Jan 8, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers president Chris McGowan (left), owner Paul Allen (center) and general manager Neil Olshey (right) watch the game against the Miami Heat during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
  1. Will The Blazers Actively Look To Add Veteran Pieces?

While the Blazers possess a rare brand of team chemistry and house one of the best starting lineups in the business, their bench woes continue to plague the team’s overall efficacy.

In addition, starting small forward, Nicolas Batum, has been battling an ailing knee and a sprained wrist for pretty much the entire season, and the initial hopes for him to regain his normal high impact form has disintegrated.

As such, general manager, Neil Olshey, may look to make a move to bolster the wing position over the upcoming weeks.

Recently, in an interview with SiriusXM radio, Olshey admitted to the team’s ongoing pursuit for a backup veteran wing:

“But I think it’s more about skill. I think it’s really more about guys that can shoot the ball, guys that are willing passers, they understand team basketball. I think defensively, they’re going to have to have a high IQ and be willing to play our system. But I think that’s really it. I think it’s somebody who is going to come in and understand that they’re a piece of what’s going on. They’re not the solution in a vacuum.”

“We’re very young on the perimeter behind Nic Batum and Wes Matthews. Dorell Wright has been playing a lot of big 3/small 4 for us. CJ McCollum is going to be a big-time player, there just hasn’t been a lot of minutes available for him because, knock wood, we’ve been healthy in the backcourt.”

With that being said, the main targets appear to be the Nuggets’ wing tandem of either Wilson Chandler or Arron Afflalo. Ideally, Chandler may be a better fit, due in large part to his versatility, but the asking price may be too steep.

Meanwhile, Afflalo has rumored to be available for a first-round pick.

Whatever happens over the upcoming days, or weeks in an event of a buyout, Olshey will look to add a veteran piece without disrupting the Blazers’ established synergy and rapport.

Next: 4. Can Meyers Leonard Sustain His Current Level Of Play?

Home/Portland Trail Blazers