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NBA: Best Free Agency Fits For Jared Dudley

By Colby Giacubeno

Mar 8, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Washington Wizards forward Jared Dudley (1) reacts after making a three point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 8, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Washington Wizards forward Jared Dudley (1) reacts after making a three point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) congratulate each other after a 96-88 win over Los Angeles Clippers in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) congratulate each other after a 96-88 win over Los Angeles Clippers in game three of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Trail Blazers

Portland has the lowest payroll through the 2015-16 season with an estimated $61.6 million and going into next season with an estimated $54.4 million will leave them with plenty of space to add many different pieces.

The Blazers exceeded expectations of arguably everyone besides local fans. After losing LaMarcus Aldridge in free agency on top of three other starting players, Damian Lillard would be in charge of a team that was projected to win anywhere from 26-30 games. Instead, they finished 44-38, good enough for fifth place in the Western Conference.

The emergence of C.J. McCollum alongside Lillard formed one of the top backcourts the NBA had to offer last season. Around them were a bevy of role players who took advantage of their opportunities and were a big reason that the Blazers were able to advance to the second round of the playoffs where they were able to steal a game from the Golden State Warriors, but eventually lost the series 4-1.

In a conversation with a user on Twitter, Dudley was asked what he would do if he landed in Portland:

Besides the spelling error in Al Horford‘s name, Dudley is right. He and Horford would be a perfect fit for this Blazers team. First and foremost they need a big man who can play some time at center, but can stretch the floor. Horford addresses those concerns. They also need a dependable stretch-4 who can knock down threes consistently, and that’s where Dudley would come in.

Al-Farouq Aminu had the best year of his career this season at the stretch-4. He is under contract for the 2016-17 season, but it doesn’t mean Dudley’s services aren’t needed. Dudley has come off the bench throughout his career and does it well, so taking that position with the Blazers wouldn’t be an issue.

His impact off the floor would be great for the younger players such as McCollum and Noah Vonleh to help develop them further.

A veteran presence is needed in Rip City, and Dudley could definitely fill that void.

Next: Staying Put

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