The Most Important Free Agent for Portland Trail Blazers to Land This Offseason
There are still a few months before the Portland Trail Blazers need to review the free-agency pool, but it doesn’t hurt to get started early.
The Blazers will have a total of five unrestricted free agents this offseason, headlined by LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews and Robin Lopez. A number of contract options exist for certain players, so that number could increase depending on how things play out.
It goes without saying that Portland would like that trio to be on board for the future, as the starting lineup ranked as one of the best two-way groups in the NBA until Matthews’ season-ending torn Achilles injury.
As such, the player whom the Blazers should hone in on should be a reserve.
Let's take a look.
The Criteria
Portland has a select way of approaching each game, playing to its style regardless of the opposition.
The Blazers are tied for No. 2 in the league in three-point attempts per game, converting on 36.5 percent. They’re also tied for No. 9 in points per game at 102.9, altogether tied for No. 7 in the NBA in offensive rating at 105.8, per ESPN.com.
On the opposite end, Portland does well to take away offense from beyond the arc, allowing a fifth-best mark of 33.7 percent. The team is tied for No. 1 in opponent three-point field goals made per game at just 6.4, all the while totaling a defensive rating of 100.9 to rank No. 8.
Given the dominance of the starting unit when healthy, whoever the Blazers add must be comfortable coming off the bench. The second unit has been solid in some areas, ranking No. 9 in defensive rebounding and No. 1 in three-point shooting, courtesy of Hoops Stats, but falls short when it comes to contributing offensively.
The bench ranks No. 28 in points per game, which is a slightly overstated issue given the scoring presence of the starting lineup, but the argument still holds some credibility. It’s a number that must be higher to maintain a potent offense.
Portland can’t just hope for the best when Damian Lillard, Matthews and Aldridge head to the bench, no matter their collective ability to score. It’s an increased workload for them to have to pick up the pieces when they get subbed back in, which becomes tiresome over 82 games and into the playoffs.
In short, Portland needs a player who can be a factor offensively, play some defense and be chipper about doing so as a reserve.
Enter Brandan Wright.
The Man for the Job
Wright has played for three teams thus far this season, first for the Dallas Mavericks before he was sent to the Boston Celtics in the Rajon Rondo trade, and currently with the Phoenix Suns after being moved at the trade deadline.
He has averaged 7.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game for the season, shooting 64.3 percent from the field and 70.0 percent from the free-throw line. Wright may not fit the bill in terms of pure offense, but the Blazers could use a rangy, athletic big man in the paint.
If an amalgam of Portland’s backcourt returns for next season, which is likely, the need for an additional wing player who can score is negligible.
Matthews was in a perfect situation prior to his injury, surrounded by a contending team with supportive teammates and fans. There was little doubt that he might bolt in free agency, and his recuperation makes such a situation even less likely. It isn’t impossible, but it’d be highly surprising to see Matthews leave Rip City after so much camaraderie and encouragement over the past five seasons.
Arron Afflalo has a player option for next season, though he looks committed to the team even if he opted out. Per The Players' Tribune, Afflalo was steadfast in regard to playing for the Blazers, saying to fans, "I'm ready for any role if it means bringing the Larry O'Brien trophy to your city."
In addition, C.J. McCollum has been on a tear as of late. With an increased role and more freedom to create on offense, he’s averaged 13.8 points on 54.0/46.7/80.0 shooting percentages over his last five games. If he can replicate that production as a reserve behind Lillard and Matthews, a small-ball approach with McCollum at the 2 and Afflalo at the 3 gives Portland that extra scoring punch off the bench.
Throw Nicolas Batum and Lillard into the mix, and the need for another backcourt scorer is lessened.
Wright, while mostly unable to get points on his own, can be a factor through certain play calls as well as opportunistic possessions. Per NBA.com, 73.4 percent of his offense this season has come off assists. His ability is relegated to around-the-rim shots, as 299 of his 345 field-goal attempts thus far have been within eight feet of the hoop.
Portland does a remarkable job of getting Aldridge, Lopez, Chris Kaman and even Matthews plays close to the rim. While most of those are post-up sets, the Blazers are still able to create that space through plays and even in a pick-and-roll situation.
Wright thrives in the pick-and-roll, ranking in the 98th percentile with Dallas and the 75th percentile with Phoenix as the roll man, per NBA.com. He was run there 31.1 percent of the time with the Mavericks, scoring 71.2 percent of the time.
His athletic ability makes alley-oop slams easy work, in addition to simply catching a pass and going straight up. In fact, Wright is tied for No. 12 for dunks this season, with the Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Denver Nuggets' Kenneth Faried, at 90 in total, per CBS Sports.
Portland had an energetic big in Thomas Robinson, who was eventually moved at the trade deadline for Afflalo. He was able to provide athletic plays on both ends, albeit inconsistently.
Wright would be an X-factor for the Blazers off the bench, just as Robinson was, with slams and offensive putbacks. He ranked in the 100th percentile of the latter category while with the Mavs and currently resides in the 96th percentile during his tenure with Phoenix, courtesy of NBA.com.
He's also an able-bodied defender, keeping opponents to 48.6 percent shooting at the rim, per NBA.com, to rank alongside other well-versed stoppers like Andre Drummond (48.3), DeAndre Jordan (48.6), Hassan Whiteside (48.3) and even Portland's own Lopez (47.7).
Wright also does a great job of rejecting shots without fouling, ranking fifth in blocks-per-foul at 0.91.
His athleticism (36-inch leap) and length (7'4" wingspan) are attractive assets, especially to the Blazers' defense.
As an offset of the intense guarding of the three-point line, Portland allows 42.8 points in the paint to rank No. 19, courtesy of Team Rankings. Opponents have to score somehow, but having Wright on board would give this team a different dimension defensively.
Lopez is a solid shot-blocker at 1.5 per game, and the Blazers already rank No. 4 in opponent field-goal percentage at the rim, per NBA.com, but having more firepower in that department would improve the defense even more.
Wright would be a supreme addition off the bench for Portland, which he's had no problem doing throughout his career, having started only 51 of 357 total games played. He's in the last year of his contract priced at $5 million for this season, per Basketball Insiders, which is about the amount of the current mid-level exception.
Wright may look for a higher-priced deal as he enters his prime, but the Blazers can offer him a chance to compete for a championship at a minimal discount. Depending on how free agency plays out for this team and the expected salary-cap increase comes to fruition, Portland should be able to re-sign its own free agents as well as Wright to satisfactory deals.
He'd have a defined role with a skill set the team could use, reaping the benefits of playing alongside Lillard, Matthews and Aldridge. And especially next to the latter, as a receiver on passes out of double-teams near the rim, sneaking in for alley-oop slams, offensive boards for extra possessions or putback shots.
On the other end, Wright could be a game-changing player for the Blazers. His length, speed and shot-blocking savvy would be a monumental addition off the bench. It'd spell easy rest for Lopez in stretches, with Wright manning the middle as a strong interior defender.
A second unit comprised of McCollum, Afflalo, Wright and Kaman would rank among the league's best. It would play supremely on both ends, transforming this group into an unquestionable championship-contending team.
It'll just come down to Wright's willingness to accept a reserve role and the contract Portland can entice him with.
Let's go, Rip City.
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