Ranking the Portland Trail Blazers' Top Priorities During 2015 Offseason
The Portland Trail Blazers fizzled out to close the regular season, going 4-6 over the last 10 games before falling 4-1 in the opening round of the playoffs to the Memphis Grizzlies.
It was a disappointing conclusion to what began as a promising year that was derailed by a lack of depth and injuries to key players.
The 2015 offseason will be major for the Blazers, as three starters will be free agents alongside a number of role players. This team has the chance to be a Western Conference powerhouse, and this period will be instrumental in maintaining and improving on that possibility.
But in order for that to happen, Portland must sort its priorities and meet each one.
Continue to Develop C.J. McCollum and Meyers Leonard
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Better late than never, fellas.
It may have taken some time, but C.J. McCollum and Meyers Leonard are emerging as talented contributors for Portland after struggling to find a niche to begin their NBA careers.
McCollum emerged as a talented scorer, averaging 15.6 points on 53.2/40.7/87.5 percent shooting in April. He went on to put up 17.0 points over five games in the playoffs, with a 33-point outburst in Game 5 that included a 7-of-11 showing from downtown.
Leonard showcased his ability as a shooter early on but only truly became a consistent contributor as the season progressed. He averaged 9.4 points and 7.9 rebounds through April, including a 17-point, 15-rebound night against the Brooklyn Nets on April 6. Leonard shot an astonishing 76.9 percent from three-point range in the postseason.
Both players should have legitimate roles next season, and it should be a priority to ensure their development continues. McCollum can handle the ball and shoot well, but must become better defensively to be a two-way player. Leonard must also get some work in that area, as well as in passing and adding more go-to moves offensively.
The Blazers desperately needed help from the reserves, yet such help was sporadic over the course of the season.
But McCollum and Leonard can leave it all in the rear-view mirror if their recent play is any indication, and further progression in the offseason will only cement that concept.
Fortify the Small Forward Position
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Nicolas Batum needs some backup.
While the Trail Blazers are often able to play an offense that relinquishes the traditional position labels, the roster has lacked a proper reserve at the small forward spot for some time.
Going back to the 2011-12 season, Batum was the second-string 3 behind then-starter Gerald Wallace, who plays for the Boston Celtics. Since then, Luke Babbitt (now with the New Orleans Pelicans) and free-agent-to-be Dorell Wright have manned the bench behind Batum.
Both did their jobs: They rebounded, knocked down threes and played within the system. But neither could come in and give Portland a punch of energy.
Whether it is through the draft or in free agency, it would reinforce the rotation, as well as give the Blazers some insurance behind their starter. Batum still played 71 games this season, but the lack of a suitable stand-in was obvious during his absence.
In addition, Batum tends to be passive offensively, so having another forward who could shake things up would be beneficial. Examples of such a player would be Corey Brewer of the Houston Rockets, Gerald Green of the Phoenix Suns and Mike Dunleavy of the Chicago Bulls.
The latter two will be unrestricted free agents, while Brewer could be available if he does not exercise his player option for next season.
Shore Up the Bench Once and for All
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The future of the team might be at a crossroads depending on the decisions of certain players in free agency, but Portland must still bring together a strong reserve unit.
Chris Kaman and Steve Blake joined the Blazers this season and instantly had a synergy. But looking at the past few years, this team has lacked a respectable bench, per Hoops Stats:
| Bench Points Per Game | League Rank | |
| 2010-11 | 24.3 | No. 28 |
| 2011-12 | 32.0 | No. 14 |
| 2012-13 | 18.5 | No. 30 |
| 2013-14 | 23.6 | No. 30 |
| 2014-15 | 27.4 | No. 27 |
While the starting unit can score a ton of points (No. 3 in points, per Hoops Stats), the offensive load shouldn't fall solely on their shoulders. For example, the Golden State Warriors' starters rank No. 5 in points, while their bench ranks No. 13.
The development of McCollum and Leonard, as well as adding a solid backup behind Batum, would help here. But the front office has to have a plan outside of those options. It must chase players with proven scoring ability, even if they will only contribute with minor minutes behind the starters.
It shouldn't be a temporary solution. Portland needs to improve the reserve unit via the draft and free agency for the long term.
Re-Sign Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez
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This one is obvious.
Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez are essential components to the Blazers' machine, playing the "dirty work" roles on the perimeter and in the paint, respectively. Both missed time due to injury this season, and their absences were immediately noticeable.
Portland had to do without Lopez's defensive presence down low for more than 20 games due to a broken hand, with the big men coming together to fill in as best they could.
Matthews tore his Achilles tendon late in the season, after which the team went just 11-16 including the playoffs. His three-and-D style of play is the perfect complement alongside Damian Lillard in the backcourt.
Portland must re-sign both players in free agency without question.
They fit seamlessly within the system on each end, and the fans adore them. Per Sean Meagher of the Oregonian, Matthews said returning would be the "perfect situation," while Lopez stated he would "love to come back."
The Blazers need these two back, as they have just as much value and importance to the team as the All-Stars.
Re-Sign LaMarcus Aldridge
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LaMarcus Aldridge has been the face of the franchise for almost a decade, appearing in the starting frontcourt for eight seasons. He's a supreme force down low as one of the top frontcourt players in all of basketball. The future of the team hinges on his decision in free agency.
So yeah, it's a priority to get this guy back.
Aldridge has been linked to the San Antonio Spurs, among other teams, per a tweet from ESPN.com's Marc Stein. But Bleacher Report's Kelly Scaletta made it quite clear why Portland should be the No. 1 destination on the big man's list:
"Let’s briefly review the facts:
- LaMarcus Aldridge can get the most money if he stays with the Portland Trail Blazers since he qualifies for the Bird exception.
- Aldridge has a superstar teammate in Damian Lillard.
- Aldridge is surrounded by perfect role players in guys like Robin Lopez and Wesley Matthews.
- Aldridge has a great relationship with his head coach, Terry Stotts.
Aldridge has the type of situation that stars take less money to get into, not get out of. Who doesn’t want a chance to contend while surrounded with ideal teammates and the perfect coach?
"
The Blazers can use that to their advantage to eliminate any doubt, if there even is any in Aldridge's mind. They still have Lillard in tow, but the team would cease to be a Western Conference power if Aldridge bolted, and a surefire rebuild would be in the cards.
With the expected jump in the salary cap for 2016, per ESPN.com, he may do things a certain way, courtesy of SportingNews.com's Danny Leroux:
"Aldridge can top out at a five-year, $108.8 million contract this year or play out a single-year deal to get a five-year, $168 million contract next summer. Including the one-year maximum salary deal, that’s a difference of more than $78 million dollars over the next six years.
"
Either way, Portland needs to re-sign Aldridge.
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