Hoops Habit
Fansided

Portland Trail Blazers: 4 goals in 2021 NBA free agency

By Ty Delbridge

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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Portland Trail Blazers, NBA free agency Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
Portland Trail Blazers, NBA free agency Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Trail Blazers goals in NBA free agency: 3. Add depth at power forward

Portland is heading into this offseason with only one power forward with a contract for next season, Robert Covington. He was brought in the last offseason after a trade with the Houston Rockets. Covington only missed two games last year and was a valuable player on both ends of the floor.

Things got a little complicated for the Blazers already this summer after it was announced that Zach Collins had refractured his foot and underwent a third surgery. Collins had surgery in September and then again in December.

He hasn’t played in a game since the NBA bubble, and now with another setback, his career could be in jeopardy. Collins was supposed to be the primary backup big that could play both positions in the frontcourt. Not having him ready to go for next season is a massive blow to this team.

The Blazers have to add some depth at PF behind Covington. They will have to get creative and should look to add some players that can play center or small forward if needed. A couple of players that stood out who are set to be free agents are:

  • Carmelo Anthony
    6’7″, 238 pounds. Hall of Famer, top 10  all-time in the NBA for points scored and played for the Blazers last two seasons.
  • Kelly Olynyk
    6’11”, 240 pounds. Eight years pro, averaging for his career 10.1 points and 5.1 rebounds while shooting 36.7 percent from the 3-point line per game
  • Nemanja Bjelica
    6’10”, 238 pounds. Career 7.9 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 38.7 percent from the 3-point line.
  • Semi Ojeleye
    6’6′, 240 pounds. Only 26 but has played in a lot of games. Career 3.5 points and 2.6 rebounds while shooting 34.9 percent from the 3-point line

At the end of the season, I didn’t think Anthony would return to Portland, but since he has a previous relationship with Billups and no real competition for playing time behind him, he could return to Portland on another one-year deal.

Adding tall, floor spacing players like Olynyk and Bjelica helps fill Collins’s role and helps make the offense even more dynamic. Ojeleye can be a useful player even though he isn’t flashy and can play multiple positions like Covington.

Home/Portland Trail Blazers