Portland Trail Blazers: 4 Free agents to improve the bench

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 26: T.J. McConnell #9 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles against Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers in the fourth quarter during their game at Moda Center on January 26, 2020 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 (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

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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. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Free agents that could fortify Portland Trail Blazers bench: 1: T.J. McConnell

One of the most significant needs for the Blazers the last couple of seasons has been having a legitimate backup point guard who can come off the bench and make plays for others. I think T.J. McConnell would be a solid fit to fill that need for the team.

He is 6’1’, and last season for the Indiana Pacers, he put up career-high numbers averaging 8.6 points, 6.6 assists and 1.9 steals per game.

He ranked second in the NBA in steals per game this season. McConnell is a scrappy player who has no problem doing the dirty work and is always hustling. He would become a fan favorite right away in Rip City.

Terry Stotts liked to use CJ McCollum as the backup PG when Damian Lillard went to the bench, and last season it was Anfernee Simons attempting to take over the role. Simons is more of a scoring guard and isn’t much of a floor general. The same goes with McCollum, who isn’t bad at being a playmaker; it just isn’t his strongest attribute.

McConnell, for his career, is averaging 5.0 assists per game and is a high IQ player on both ends of the court. He knows his role in the league and won’t come in demanding the ball or trying to do too much.

He would be an excellent fit alongside Lillard, McCollum or Simons as it would allow them to play off the ball more and use their speed to run around screens, cut to the basket and get open for catch and shoots. Portland is also trying to get better on defense, and McConnell would help with that as well.

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