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 center 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.
Available free agents
JOAKIM NOAH
Height: 6-11
Weight: 230
Age: 34 (turns 35 on February 25, 2020)
2018-19 stats: 7.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists in 16.5 minutes per game with the Grizzlies. Shot 51.6% from the field and 71.6% from the free-throw line. Not a 3-point shooter.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
KENNETH FARIED
Height: 6-8
Weight: 220
Age: 29 (turns 30 on November 19)
2018-19 stats: 10.4 points, 6.8 rebounds, in 19.7 minutes per game with the Nets and Rockets. Played in 37 games (13 starts). Shot 58.9% from the field and 32.0% from the 3-point line. Thrived with the Rockets after mid-season acquisition, averaging 12.9 points, 8.2 rebounds in 24.4 minutes per game, shooting 58.7% from the field and 35.0% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million (after this long on the market, Faried may end up signing for the minimum)
GREG MONROE
Height: 6-11
Weight: 265
Age: 29 (turns 30 on June 4, 2020)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 5.3 points, 4.0 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per game with the Raptors, Celtics and 76ers. Played in 43 games (2 starts). Shot 48.7% from the field and 62.5% from the free-throw line. Not a 3-point shooter.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
DWIGHT HOWARD
Height: 6-11
Weight: 265
Age: 33 (turns 34 on December 8)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 12.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 0.4 blocks in 25.6 minutes per game with the Wizards. Played in nine games (nine starts). Shot 62.3% from the field and 60.4% from the free-throw line. Not a 3-point shooter.
Projected starting salary: Howard isn't a free agent yet. He was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and reports indicate he's expected to waived in the near future. When he's waived, it's unclear how much money he'll demand but it's possible he'll sign for the minimum.
KOSTA KOUFOS
Height: 7-0
Weight: 245
Age: 30 (turns 31 on February 24, 2020)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 3.7 points, 4.2 rebounds in 12.0 minutes per game with the Kings. Played in 42 games (1 start). Shot 47.7% from the field and 41.7% from the free-throw line. Not a 3-point shooter.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
AMIR JOHNSON
Height: 6-9
Weight: 240
Age: 32 (turns 33 on May 1, 2020)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 3.9 points, 2.9 rebounds in 10.4 minutes per game with the 76ers. Played in 51 games (6 starts). Shot 50.3% from the field, 30% from 3, and 75.6% from the free-throw line.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
NENE
Height: 6-11
Weight: 250
Age: 36 (turns 37 on September 13)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 3.6 points, 2.9 rebounds in 13.0 minutes per game with the Rockets. Played 42 games (2 starts). Shot 51.7% from the field and 66.0% from the free-throw line. Not a 3-point shooter.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
PAU GASOL
Height: 7-0
Weight: 250
Age: 38 (turns 39 on July 6)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 3.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists in 12.0 minutes per game with the Spurs and Bucks. Played 30 games (6 starts). Shot 44.7% from the field and 46.2% from the 3-point line.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
TIMOFEY MOZGOV
Height: 7-1
Weight: 275
Age: 32 (turns 33 on July 16)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 4.2 points, 3.2 rebounds in 11.6 minutes per game with the Nets. Played in 31 games (13 starts). Shot 55.9% from the field and 76.7% from the free-throw line. Not a 3-point shooter.
Projected starting salary: Minimum
OTHER OPTIONS
Ekpe Udoh, Salah Mejri, Zaza Pachulia, Andrew Bogut, Tyler Zeller, Jason Smith, Eric Moreland, Alan Williams
Free agents who have agreed to terms
DEWAYNE DEDMON
Update: Dedmon agreed to a three-year, $41 million deal with the Sacramento Kings
Height: 7-0
Weight: 245
Age: 29
2018-19 stats: Averaged 10.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.1 blocks in 25.1 minutes per game with the Hawks. Played 64 games (52 starts). Shot 49.2% from the field and 38.2% from the 3-point line (on 3.4 attempts per game).
Projected starting salary: $6-8 million
DEANDRE JORDAN
Update: Jordan agreed to a four-year, $40 million deal with the Brooklyn Nets.
Height: 6-11
Weight: 265
Age: 30
2018-19 stats: Averaged 11.0 points, 13.1 rebounds, 1.1 blocks in 29.7 minutes per game with the Mavericks and Knicks. Shots 64.15 from the field and 70.5% from the free-throw line. Not a 3-point shooter.
Projected starting salary: $6-8 million
RICHAUN HOLMES
Update: Holmes agreed to a two-year, $9.7 million deal with the Sacramento Kings.
Height: 6-10
Weight: 235
Age: 25
2018-19 stats: Averaged 8.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 1.1 blocks in 16.9 minutes per game with the Suns. Shot 60.8% from the field and 73.1% from the free-throw line. A 25.7% career 3-point shooter on limited attempts.
Projected starting salary: $6-8 million
ED DAVIS
Update: Davis agreed to a two-year, $9.7 million deal with the Utah Jazz.
Height: 6-10
Weight: 225
Age: 29
2018-19 stats: Averaged 5.8 points, 8.6 rebounds in 17.9 minutes per game with the Nets. Shot 61.6% from the field. Not a 3-point shooter.
Projected starting salary: $6-8 million
BOBAN MARJANOVIC
Update: Marjanovic agreed to a two-year, $7 million deal with the Dallas Mavericks.
Height: 7-3
Weight: 290
Age: 30
2018-19 stats: Averaged 7.3 points 4.6 rebounds in 11.7 minutes per game with the Clippers and 76ers. Played 58 games (12 starts). Shot 62.5% from the field. Not really a 3-point shooter.
Projected starting salary: $6-8 million
JAVALE MCGEE
Update: McGee agreed to a two-year, $8.2 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.
Height: 7-0
Weight: 270
Age: 31 (turns 32 on January 19, 2020)
2018-19 stats: 12.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks in 22.3 minutes per game with the Lakers. Shot 62.4% from the field. Not a 3-point shooter.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million
NERLENS NOEL
Update: Nerlens Noel has agreed to a one-year, 2.0 million deal with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Height: 6-11
Weight: 220
Age: 25
2018-19 stats: Averaged 4.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.2 blocks in 13. minutes per game with the Thunder. Shot 58.7% from the field and 68.4% from the free-throw line. Not a 3-point shooter.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million
ROBIN LOPEZ
Update: Lopez has agreed to a two-year, $9.7 million deal with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Height: 7-0
Weight: 275
Age: 31
2018-19 stats: Averaged 9.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 1.1 blocks in 21.7 minutes per game with the Bulls. Played 74 games (36 starts). Shot 56.8% from the field. Not a 3-point shooter.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million
KYLE O'QUINN
Update: O'Quinn has agreed to a one-year, $2.0 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers.
Height: 6-10
Weight: 250
Age: 29
2018-19 stats: Averaged 3.5 points, 2.6 rebounds in 8.2 minutes per game with the Pacers. Played 45 games (3 starts). Shot 50.7% from the field. Not a 3-point shooter.
Projected starting salary: $4-6 million
TYSON CHANDLER
UPDATE: Chandler agreed to a one-year veteran minimum deal with the Houston Rockets.
Height: 7-1
Weight: 240
Age: 36 (turns 37 on October 2)
2018-19 stats: Averaged 3.1 points, 5.6 rebounds in 15.9 minutes per game with the Suns and Lakers. Played 55 games (6 starts). Shot 61.6% from the field. Not a 3-point shooter.
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.