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Portland Trail Blazers: 5 potential targets in 2019 NBA free agency

By Ty Delbridge

PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 7: Al-Farouq Aminu #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on against the San Antonio Spurs on February 7, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 7: Al-Farouq Aminu #8 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on against the San Antonio Spurs on February 7, 2019 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images)
(Photo by Cassy Athena/Getty Images) /

5. Stanley Johnson

The former eighth overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Stanley Johnson hasn’t quite lived up to his lottery selection. He played three full seasons with the Detroit Pistons and then was traded halfway through his fourth season to the New Orleans Pelicans.

So far for his career, he is averaging 7.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 0.9 steals per game while shooting 37.4 percent from the field, 29.3 percent from the 3-point line and 76.4 percent from the free throw line.

Still only 23 years old, Johnson has shown plenty of positive flashes on both ends of the court and has excellent athleticism and physical tools — 6’7”, 6’11” wingspan, 245 pounds — to be a solid player in the league. Blazers general manager Neil Olshey has taken a swing on players like him — high draft picks, lack of production — plenty of times in the past. Some examples are Maurice Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu and Nik Stauskas.

There is no question that he needs to become a more reliable and consistent shooter. He does not have a bad jump shot but needs to correct some little things to knock down more shots. The Blazers coaching staff has been good at helping players become better shooters. His good free throw shooting percentage shows promise for him developing a reliable jump shot.

Johnson can play both forward spots, and right away, he brings defensive versatility, rebounding and hustle plays. At 23, he still has plenty of room to grow in his game. Johnson could quickly figure some things out that he needs to, break out in Portland and show why he was a top-10 pick.

If they lose Hood or even Aminu this free agency, Johnson would be able to fill some of their roles this next year. Portland would probably try to get him for one or two seasons and see if they can unlock the former lottery pick’s potential as he gets older. There won’t be too many guys with the age, physical profile and upside like Johnson on the free agency market that the Blazers would be able to afford.

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