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

1. Al-Farouq Aminu

Going into free agency, the name that should be No. 1 on the Blazers’ priority list is Al-Farouq Aminu. He has been fundamental to the success of the franchise for the last few years and has had his best seasons as a pro in Portland. Aminu is an unrestricted free agent, but Rip City can go over the cap to re-sign him. He is the player it should spend the most money on this year.

Aminu has been in Portland since 2015 and has turned himself into a dynamic forward that other teams around the league are going to want. He can play on the wing or on the block, and can guard 1-4 and even some 5s. Today’s small-ball style of play in the NBA fits the 6’9”, 220-pound Aminu perfectly, as he does his best work as a power forward.

Since arriving in Portland, he has turned himself into a good offensive player with his ability to space the floor and score down low. He is also arguably the best defender on the team. The Blazers’ players, coaching staff, and front office all know how vital Aminu is to their team, and know it would be a massive loss if he left.

Aminu’s price range could reach upwards of $12-14 million a year, and the Blazers should be willing to go that high if necessary. They might not want to pay him that much, but since they are over the salary cap, if they lose him, they can’t just go out and find his replacement.

Aminu’s skill, physical ability and value to the team on both ends of the court and in the locker room should be worth every penny for the Blazers as they try to make another deep playoff run.