2011 NBA Free Agency: Top 10 Players the Portland Trail Blazers Should Go After

With all of the injury issues that plagued the Trail Blazer's regular season, how they finished should not be considered a disappointment. But if the Blazer's want to make the jump to the next level of elite teams, there are a few positions they should add to.

Here are the 10 players that should be at the top of the Blazers radar:

10. T.J. Ford

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SAN ANTONIO - JANUARY 20: NBA official Ron Garretson #8 with T.J. Ford #5 of the Indiana Pacers during play against the San Antonio Spurs on January 20, 2009 at AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that

The once eighth overall pick out of Texas is now in his seventh year in the NBA.

Portland needs a point guard for the future, and a player that can sit a year or two behind Andre Miller to develop. 

9. Caron Butler

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DALLAS, TX - DECEMBER 15: Forward Caron Butler #4 of the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on December 15, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is c

Butler has been injured with a knee injury, but he’s still one of the top free agents in the NBA for the 2011 off-season.

The Blazers don’t have a serious need for a small forward, but Butler is an impressive player.

And hey, the Blazers never have to worry about players with injuries.

8. Marc Gasol

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MEMPHIS, TN - APRIL 23: Marc Gasol #33 of the Memphis Grizzlies celebrates during the game against the San Antonio Spurs in Game three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 23, 2011 in Memphis, Tennessee

Brother of Laker star Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol is a now of free agent and open to the market.

In three seasons with the Grizzlies, Gasol has averaged 12.6 PPG and 7.8 RPG.

He has been even more impressive in the playoffs for Memphis, averaging a double-double.

Adding big force down low for the Blazers would take pressure off of LaMarcus Aldridge and Marcus Camby’s shoulders.

7. Jamal Crawford

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ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 28: Jamal Crawford #11 of the Atlanta Hawks reacts after their 84-81 win over the Orlando Magic during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 28, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.

One of Atlanta’s top players, Crawford is one of the top targets for a lot of teams.

Yes Crawford did have a poor season in 2010-11, with all of his stats dropping.

But Crawford is an All-Star quality player, and would be a great addition for the Blazers.

6. Tyson Chandler

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 26: Tyson Chandler #6 and Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks against the Washington Wizards at the Verizon Center on February 26, 2011 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloadin

This one is pretty obvious.

Portland needs a big man to beef up the low post, and the 7’1” Chandler is exactly that.

5. Aaron Brooks

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PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 30: Aaron Brooks #0 of the Phoenix Suns in action during the NBA game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at US Airways Center on March 30, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Thunder defeated the Suns 116-98. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac

Duck fans like myself would love to see Aaron Brooks come back to Oregon.

After four great years with the Duck basketball team, and a good stint with the Rockets and Suns, Brooks can be the point guard of the future for the Blazers.

Let’s face it, Andre Miller won’t be around too much longer.

4. Nene

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DENVER - DECEMBER 28: Nene #31 of the Denver Nuggets looks on during a break in the action against the Portland Trail Blazers at Pepsi Center on December 28, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Blazers 95-77. NOTE TO USER: User expressly a

Not being able to rebound was a major problem for the Blazers this season, and the inability to guard Dirk Nowitzki proved to be too difficult for them to overcome.

Nene brings the rebounding ability and support the Blazers need to take next step in joining the NBA’s elite.

3. Glen Davis

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CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 07: Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics reacts on the bench near the end of a loss to the Chicago Bulls at United Center on April 7, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Celtics 97-81. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowl

Glen (Big Baby) Davis, in his fourth season out of LSU, has been one of the top reserve players in the NBA.

Davis averaged 11.7 PPG this season, and would be a great addition for the Blazers rotation.

2. Chris Paul

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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

Okay, so this is probably a huge reach, but the Blazers really need a solid point guard and Paul would be a great direction to go.

Besides Derrick Rose of the Bulls, Paul might be the best young point guard in the NBA.

If the Blazers could make some trade magic happen, getting Paul would be astronomical.

I can at least hope...

1. Dwight Howard

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ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 28: Dwight Howard #12 of the Orlando Magic reacts after a turnover to the Atlanta Hawks during Game Six of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals in the 2011 NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena on April 28, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO

Yeah, this is probably even more of a reach.

But imagine how good the Blazers low post defense would be with Howard and Aldridge on the same team.

There’s little question that Howard is the best defender in the NBA, and his offensive skill set is getting even better.

With his unhappiness with the Magic, trying to work in a trade for “Superman” would be the best things the Blazers could do.