PORTLAND, Ore. — The Portland Trail Blazers have three ways to improve the roster for the 2019-20 season: the NBA draft, free agency, and trades.
Portland drafted North Carolina small forward Nassir Little with the 25th pick of the draft. The Blazers used their taxpayer midlevel exception to re-sign Rodney Hood, and signed two new free agents, Mario Hezonja and Anthony Tolliver, to minimum deals.
Portland made two trades, first shipping Evan Turner to the Atlanta Hawks for Kent Bazemore, and then trading Maurice Harkless and Meyers Leonard in a deal that brought Hassan Whiteside to Portland.
The team let Al-Farouq Aminu (Orlando Magic), Enes Kanter (Boston Celtics), Seth Curry (Dallas Mavericks) and Jake Layman (Minnesota Timberwolves) leave in free agency.
Here's a look at a projected depth chart for the Blazers with their current roster:
- Point guard: Damian Lillard, Anfernee Simons
- Shooting guard: CJ McCollum, Kent Bazemore
- Small forward: Rodney Hood, Mario Hezonja, Nassir Little
- Power forward: Zach Collins, Anthony Tolliver, Skal Labissiere
- Center: Hassan Whiteside, Jusuf Nurkic (injured)
The Blazers now have two open roster spots and minimum salaries with which to sign free agents. They could also make trades to fill out the roster.
On Wednesday, July 17, Jason Quick of The Athletic reported that Portland will add one more player this offseason, and it will be a center.
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Below, we take a look at free agency fits at guard for the Blazers. This list was written before the start of free agency and has been updated with all of the signings since June 30.
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The projected salary for each player comes from this report by ESPN's Bobby Marks, unless otherwise noted.
Available free agent point guards
SHAUN LIVINGSTON
Height: 6-7
Weight: 192
Age: 33 (turns 34 on September 11)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 4.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists in 15.1 minutes per game with the Warriors. Played in 64 games (0 starts). Shots 51.9% from the field. Not a 3-point shooter (17.8% for his career on only 73 attempts in 833 games).
Projected starting salary: Unknown, but probably $3 million or less. The Warriors waived Livingston on July 9 before his $7.7 million salary became fully guaranteed.
TREY BURKE
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
Age: 26 (turns 27 on November 12)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 10.9 points, 2.7 assists, 1.7 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per game with the Knicks and Mavericks. Played in 58 games (8 starts). Shot 43.1% from the field and 35.2% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million
JERRYD BAYLESS
Height: 6-3
Weight: 200
Age: 30 (turns 31 on August 20)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 6.1 points, 3.5 assists, 1.8 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game with the Timberwolves. Played in 34 games (6 starts). Shot 35.7% from the field and 29.6% from the 3-point line. Career 36.1% 3-point shooter.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
JEREMY LIN
Height: 6-3
Weight: 200
Age: 30 (turns 31 on August 23)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 9.6 points, 3.1 assists, 2.4 rebounds in 19.4 minutes per game with the Hawks and Raptors. Played in 74 games (4 starts). Shot 44.0% from the field and 29.4% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
SHELVIN MACK
Height: 6-3
Weight: 203
Age: 29 (turns 30 on April 22, 2020)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 7.5 points, 3.2 assists, 1.8 rebounds in 21.9 minutes per game with the Grizzlies and Hornets. Played in 57 games (3 starts). Shot 40.4% from the field and 35.4% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
JERIAN GRANT
Height: 6-4
Weight: 205
Age: 26 (turns 27 on October 9)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 4.2 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists in 15.7 minutes per game with the Magic. Played in 60 games (1 start). Shot 41.8% from the field and 36.4% from the 3-point line. Career 32.4% from 3 (four seasons on 1.9 attempts per game).
Projected starting salary: Minimum
OTHER OPTIONS
Devin Harris, Jose Calderon, Frank Mason
Free agent point guards who have agreed to terms
ELFRID PAYTON
Update: Payton agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New York Knicks.
Height: 6-4
Weight: 185
Age: 25
2018-19 stats: Averaged 10.6 points, 7.6 assists, 5.2 rebounds in 29.8 minutes per game with the Pelicans. Played in 42 games (42 starts). Shot 43.4% from the field and 31.4% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $6-8 million
ISH SMITH
Update: Smith agreed to a two-year, $12 million deal with the Washington Wizards.
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
Age: 30
2018-19 stats: Averaged 8.9 points, 3.6 assists, 2.6 rebounds in 22.3 minutes per game with the Pistons. Played in 56 games (no starts). Shot 41.9% from the field and 32.6% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $6-8 million
CORY JOSEPH
Update: Joseph agreed to a three-year, $37 million deal with the Sacramento Kings.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 193
Age: 27
2018-19 stats: Averaged 6.5 points, 3.9 assists, 3.5 rebounds in 25.2 minutes per game with the Pacers. Played in 82 games (9 starts). Shot 41.2% from the field and 32.2% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $6-8 million
GEORGE HILL
UPDATE: Hill agreed to a three-year, $29 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Height: 6-3
Weight: 188
Age: 33
2018-19 stats: Averaged 7.6 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists in 21.7 minutes per game with the Cavaliers and Bucks. Shot 45.2% from the field and 31.4% from 3. Career 37.8% from 3.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million
AUSTIN RIVERS
Update: Rivers agreed to a two-year, $4.5 million deal with the Houston Rockets.
Height: 6-4
Weight: 200
Age: 26
2018-19 stats: Averaged 8.1 points, 2.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists in 26.7 minutes per game with the Wizards and Rockets. Shot 40.6% from the field and 31.8% from the 3-point line. Career 34.7% from 3.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million
T.J. MCCONNELL
Update: McConnell agreed to a two-year, $7 million deal with the Indiana Pacers.
Height: 6-2
Weight: 190
Age: 27
2018-19 stats: Averaged 6.4 points, 3.4 assists, 2.3 rebounds in 19.3 minutes per game with the 76ers. Shot 52.5% from the field and 33.3% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million
QUINN COOK
Update: Cook agreed to a two-year, $6 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Height: 6-2
Weight: 179
Age: 26 (turns 27 on March 23, 2020)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 6.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists in 14.3 minutes per game with the Warriors. Played in 74 games (10 starts). Shot 46.5% from the field and 40.5% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
Available free agent shooting guards
JUSTIN HOLIDAY
Height: 6-6
Weight: 181
Age: 30 (turns 31 on April 5, 2020)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 10.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 steals in 31.8 minutes per game with the Bulls and Grizzlies. Played in 82 games (77 starts). Shot 38.6% from the field and 34.8% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million
IMAN SHUMPERT
Height: 6-5
Weight: 215
Age: 29 (turns 30 on June 26, 2020)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 7.5 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists in 23.9 minutes per game with the Kings and Rockets. Played in 62 games (41 starts). Shot 37.4% from the field and 34.8% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million
LANCE STEPHENSON
Height: 6-6
Weight: 230
Age: 28 (turns 29 on September 5)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 7.2 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists in 16.5 minutes per game with the Lakers. Played in 68 games (3 starts). Shot 42.6% from the field and 37.1% from the 3-point line. Career 31.5% from 3.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
KYLE KORVER
Height: 6-7
Weight: 212
Age: 38 (turns 39 on March 17, 2020)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 8.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists in 19.1 minutes per game with the Cavaliers and Jazz. Played in 70 games (0 starts). Shot 41.6% from the field and 39.7% from the 3-point line. Career 42.9% from 3.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
VINCE CARTER
Height: 6-6
Weight: 220
Age: 42 (turns 43 on January 26, 2020)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 7.4 points, 2.6 rebounds in 17.5 minutes per game with the Atlanta Hawks. Played in 76 games (9 starts). Shot 41.9% from the field and 38.9% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
OTHER OPTIONS
Jamal Crawford, Quincy Pondexter, Corey Brewer, Justin Anderson, David Nwaba, Nik Stauskas, Ian Clark, Tyler Dorsey, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Sindarius Thornwell, Jodie Meeks
Free agent shooting guards who have agreed to terms
KENTAVIOUS CALDWELL-POPE
Update: Caldwell-Pope agreed to a two-year, $16 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Height: 6-5
Weight: 205
Age: 26 (turns 27 on February 18, 2020)
2018-19 stats: 11.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists in 24.8 minutes per game with the Lakers. Played in 82 games (23 starts). Shot 43.0% from the field and 34.7% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $6-8 million
WAYNE ELLINGTON
Update: Ellington agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with the New York Knicks.
Height: 6-5
Weight: 200
Age: 31
2018-19 stats: Averaged 10.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists in 24.5 minutes per game for the Heat and Pistons. Played in 53 games (38 starts). Shot 40.3% from the field and 37.1% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $6-8 million
REGGIE BULLOCK
Update: Bullock agreed to a two-year, $21 million deal with the New York Knicks.
Height: 6-7
Weight: 205
Age: 28
2018-19 stats: Averaged 11.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists in 29.8 minutes per game with the Pistons and Lakers. Shot 41.2% from the field and 37.7% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $6-8 million
WESLEY MATTHEWS
Update: Matthews agreed to a one-year, $2.6 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Height: 6-5
Weight: 220
Age: 32
2018-19 stats: Averaged 12.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists in 30.3 minutes per game with the Mavericks, Knicks and Pacers. Shot 40.0% from the field and 37.2% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million
ALEC BURKS
Update: Burks has agreed to a one-year deal with the Golden State Warriors. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Height: 6-6
Weight: 214
Age: 27
2018-19 stats: Averaged 8.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists in 21.5 minutes per game with the Jazz, Cavaliers and Kings. Played 64 games (24 starts). Shot 40.5% from the field and 36.3% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million
RODNEY MCGRUDER
Update: McGruder agreed to a three-year, $15 million deal with the Los Angeles Clippers.
Height: 6-4
Weight: 200
Age: 27
2018-19 stats: Averaged 7.6 points, 3.6 rebounds in 23.5 minutes per game with the Heat. Shot 40.3% from the field and 35.1% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million
GARRETT TEMPLE
Update: Temple agreed to a two-year, $10 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets.
Height: 6-6
Weight: 195
Age: 33
2018-19 stats: Averaged 7.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, 1.4 assists in 27.2 minutes per game. Played in 75 games (55 starts). Shot 42.2% from the field and 34.1% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million
TROY DANIELS
Update: Daniels agreed to a one-year, $2.0 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Height: 6-4
Weight: 205
Age: 27
2018-19 stats: Averaged 6.2 points in 14.9 minutes per game with the Suns. Played in 51 games (1 start). Shots 41.1% from the field and 38.1% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
Jared Cowley writes about the Trail Blazers and other topics for KGW.com. He's also the co-host of the 3-on-3 Blazers podcast (listen here). You can reach him on Twitter @jaredcowley.
