5 Best Value Free Agents Portland Trail Blazers Should Pursue This Offseason

With almost half of the roster expected to enter the NBA's free-agency period, the Portland Trail Blazers will have some work to do on and after July 1.

Three of the five starters will be unrestricted and could potentially leave, meaning this team could look very different in a few months. But even if the core is retained, the front office will need to get creative in filling out the remaining spots.

The following will look at the best value free agents the Blazers could sign regardless of how the roster will look for the 2015-16 season. Adding these players would strengthen a reserve unit that desperately needs help, whether or not the core stays the same.

Gerald Green, SF

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Gerald Green had an up-and-down season with the Phoenix Suns, but his ability as an energizer and instant-offense player was clear.

He averaged 11.9 points per game, shooting 41.6 percent from the field and 35.4 percent from beyond the arc. Those marks were down from a year ago—44.5 and 40.0, respectively—but Green was able to pull everything together to close out the final month.

With a bigger chunk of minutes, the swingman put up 17.1 points on 49.5 percent from the field and 45.0 percent from downtown.

Green's $3.5 million for this past season was below the mid-level exception and shouldn't necessarily command as much as it offers for next season. The MLE is projected to be as much as $5.4 million, according to Larry Coon's NBA Salary Cap FAQ.

If the Blazers are able to secure his services for a portion of that amount, it would give the team a solid reserve scoring option alongside C.J. McCollum. Green started just four games in 2014-15, hence his willingness to come off the bench shouldn't be doubted.

He's a prolific shooter and a surreal athlete who would fit well at the 2 or 3, spotting up on the wing or cutting inside for some high-flying antics at the basket. 

And coming off a down season, Portland has some leverage to sign Green for a reasonable amount.

Luis Scola, PF

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The development of Meyers Leonard will be interesting to see unfold after his late-season blossom, but Luis Scola would give Portland some reliable insurance should there be growing pains.

He isn't a top-notch defender or athlete by any means, but the 35-year-old forward can still score and rebound effectively.

Scola averaged 9.4 points and 6.5 rebounds for the Indiana Pacers this season, shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 69.9 percent from the free-throw line. Even at his age, he remains a physical player in the paint but is also able to step outside and knock down shots.

The Pacers had Scola on a $4.8 million contract, though he will not command as much salary going forward as he approaches the end of his career.

The Blazers had a veteran post presence this season in Chris Kaman, who acted as the primary scoring option off the bench. He also had an impact on the younger players, specifically Leonard. The remaining big men were defensive or rebounding specialists who were unable to get their own shot.

Scola could provide an ensemble of the same skills, but checking the latter category makes him an intriguing player to add, especially at a solid deal.

Mike Dunleavy, SF

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Though he has played a bench role in the past, Mike Dunleavy started every game he played this season.

In 63 games, the 6'9" small forward averaged 9.4 points on 40.7 percent from three-point range, along with 3.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists.

It isn't a sure thing that he'll accept a bench role, but the Blazers run an offense in which Dunleavy would absolutely thrive. His shooting and ball-handling would fit seamlessly, in addition to his off-ball work coming off screens.

His $3.3 million with the Chicago Bulls is right around the middle of the mid-level exception, which again falls under that "value" tag Portland will search for. The 34-year-old Dunleavy is nearing the end of his career but can still be a strong contributor.

His offensive versatility and veteran experience would make him a key reserve behind Nicolas Batum, either in place or alongside current Blazers free agent Dorell Wright.

Brandon Bass, PF

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Like Scola, Brandon Bass is a little undersized at 6'8" and won't bring a great deal defensively. But his intangible play would give the Blazers a new dimension off the bench.

Bass has spent the past four seasons as an on-off starter for the Boston Celtics. He played 23.5 minutes per game this year, averaging 10.6 points on 50.4 percent shooting with 4.9 rebounds.

At 30 years of age, he doesn't belong in Boston's rebuilding project, especially as currently constructed. Bleacher Report's Grant Rindner elaborated: 

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The Celtics now have several young players at the power forward spot, and Bass simply no longer fits the team’s plan going forward. Bass is a good defender and an elite mid-range shooter, but at 30 years old, he isn’t getting any better. 

While Jared Sullinger and Kelly Olynyk have their struggles, both are still somewhat unknown quantities and could benefit from splitting the 20 minutes per game Bass plays. That’s not to mention Tyler Zeller or Jonas Jerebko, who also require frontcourt minutes, and whomever Boston picks up via free agency and the draft. 

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Bass would give Portland another scoring option in the frontcourt, capable of stepping outside or bruising his way to the rim. Whether that's behind LaMarcus Aldridge or Meyers Leonard remains to be seen, but it'd be another complementary player to have on the roster.

Bass' $6.9 million with Boston this season isn't likely to carry over into next year, though he could potentially command the majority of the mid-level exception. But at his age with his skills, Bass would be worth the investment.

Brandan Wright, C

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If there's one free agent Portland should home in on, it's Brandan Wright.

As deep as the Blazers' frontcourt rotation seems, it doesn't offer much in the way of versatility. From Robin Lopez to Joel Freeland, there lacks a big man who reaps the benefits of his length and athleticism. 

Wright thrives off such attributes on both ends, whether he's soaring for a dunk or a block. Having played with three different teams this season, he averaged 7.3 points on 64.2 percent shooting with 4.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 19.3 minutes. 

He's mobile for his size at 6'10" and would be a strong pick-and-roll partner for Damian Lillard, cutting inside for putbacks or alley-oop opportunities. Wright would also suit the style of the team on offense and defense, regardless of how the roster looks going forward.

His $5 million for this season is just a sliver underneath the projected mid-level exception for next year, meaning he could see a similar deal. Wright would absolutely be worth it, as evidenced by his shooting percentage and player efficiency rating of 20.44 that ranked No. 34 of all players, per ESPN.com.

With Meyers Leonard and Chris Kaman already on the roster, it might seem like overkill to invest in yet another big, especially if LaMarcus Aldridge and Lopez indeed return in free agency.

Aside from the latter, all three can play away from the rim. Wright cannot and would be relegated to being an athletic presence in the paint and on the glass, which Portland sorely missed this year.

Thomas Robinson played that energizer role for a time, but his inexperience halted that experiment, and he was traded at the deadline. When it worked, however, the impact was clear for the Blazers.

All salary information courtesy of Basketball Insiders, unless otherwise noted.