2011 NBA Free Agency: 5 Moves to Get Portland to the Next Level

The Blazers had an inspirational season this year before falling to the Mavs in six games.

They have put in place a nice core including LaMarcus Aldridge, Gerald Wallace, Wesley Matthews and Nic Batum.

They have some weaknesses that stood out during the playoffs that do need to be addressed this offseason. This team could have what it takes to go deep in the playoffs with some adjustments.

Add a Three-Point Shooter

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MIAMI, FL - MARCH 08: Wesley Matthews #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after hitting a late 3 pointer during a game against the Miami Heat at American Airlines Arena on March 8, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and

Portland's bad three-point shooting has dogged them all year and may have cost them a chance at playoff victory. A lack of shooters means that defenses can sag inside without worry.

Portland has some streaky three-point shooters, but none that can ring up the points if they get open.

The Blazers should grab one or two shooters off the free agent market. Some names include Daequen Cook, Jason Kapono, Marco Bellinelli, Michael Redd, Reggie Williams and opponent Peja Stojakovic.

The Mavs showed their floor spacing all series long, and that was key. Portland needs some as well.

Size/Rebounding

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HOUSTON - APRIL 30: Forward Joel Przybilla #10 of the Portland Trail Blazers and Shane Battier #5 of the Houston Rockets in Game Six of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 30, 2009 in Houston, Texas

Portland has often been forced to go small this season because of their lack of post depth. This has led to them being out-boarded, and that is a big problem.

Camby, Aldridge and Wallace are a formidable rebounding trio, but throw in Batum and Fernandez instead of Camby and Wallace and you have problems.

This could be remedied by adding some depth up front. There are a lot of big men who can give you 10-15 minutes out there. These guys won't carry you to victory, but they'll play a role.

Longtime Blazer Joel Przybilla could make a return. Former McMillan player and rebounding machine Reggie Evans, who is also known for his toughness, is an intriguing option. 

Other suitable names include Nazr Mohammed, Nenad Krstic, Chris Wilcox and Jared Jeffries.

Depth

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BOSTON, MA - MARCH 02: Troy Murphy #30 of the Boston Celtics takes a shot as Mickael Pietrus #12 of the Phoenix Suns defends on March 2, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downlo

Making the first two moves will go a long way towards solving this problem.

Right now, the first Blazers off the bench are Brandon Roy, Rudy Fernandez and Nicolas Batum.

Roy shows flashes of his old self occasionally, but not on a consistent basis. Rudy is a shooter who can't shoot. Batum has a lot of potential, but often disappears. 

After that, there is very little from the Portland bench.

One player I would really like to see in Rip City would be Troy Murphy. His unique combination of size/rebounding and shooting would fit nicely with the Blazers. He had a great career, but had an off-year this year. This may drive his price down a little.

Once size and shooting are added, the Blazers will also need a backup point guard. TJ Ford may join the Blazers. Restricted free agents Goran Dragic, Mario Chalmers and maybe even Rodney Stuckey could be in the mix.

Re-Sign Andre Miller

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DALLAS, TX - APRIL 19: Guard Andre Miller #24 of the Portland Trail Blazers takes a shot against Jose Juan Barea #11 of the Dallas Mavericks in Game Two of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2011 at American Ai

Andre has been the most consistent Blazer the past couple of seasons.

He has shown he can score when he needs to, but doesn't often look for his shot.

Miller's lack of shooting hurts a lot, but his ball-handling and passing skills are badly needed. Without Miller, Portland is point guard-less. No way they would have made the playoffs this year sans Miller.

Portland does need to find their future point guard soon, but for now, Andre is probably the best choice. He is probably one of the more underrated players in the L.

Bring Back the Big Fella

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HOUSTON - APRIL 24: Center Greg Oden #52 of the Portland Trail Blazers during play against the Houston Rockets in Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals during the 2009 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center on April 24, 2009 in Houston, Texas. NOTE T

With the four years of misfortune they've gone through, and the talent Greg Oden still possesses, I think Portland needs to bring him back for one more chance.

Oden could still become a top-10 center in the NBA. He showed his enormous potential his last stint in uniform.

A healthy Oden could be enough to propel the Blazers up the next step.

The only thing more disappointing from the team's perspective than seeing Oden never become great would be to see him become great on a different team.

Mark my words here: Oden will still become a very effective player in the NBA. It will begin in the 2012 season.

Let's hope that happens with No. 52 on the Blazers.

P.S. Make the Mega-Trade

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 26: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans Hornets reacts late in the fourth quarter while taking on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2011 at Staples Cente

This guy is pretty good, unlike the rest of his team. Imagine what he could do with Aldridge, Wallace and Co. with him.

Yes, it probably won't happen, but that's a championship-level team if it did.

Steve Nash, Kyrie Irving or Stephen Curry are other big trade options if you want to think that big.