[ad_1]
January 15th isn’t one of the most important dates on the NBA calendar. But come trade season, it’s especially important for teams like the Portland Trail Blazers, who may be looking for upgrades in certain locations in anticipation of a playoff push.
Re-signed with previous team this off-season, but got at least a 20% pay raise, salary above minimum, team above cap, so signed using Bird or Early Bird entitlement The players that needed to be: According to HoopsRumors, it qualified to be dealt according to NBA rules.
Anfernee Simons and Jusuf Nurkic are two players from Portland. But rather than trade starting centers and leading scorers, the Blazers should consider adding margin to balance their roster and improve their scoring punches (or lack thereof) off the bench. .
Here are three candidates Portland can pursue now with the goal of moving up the Western Conference standings and solidifying a playoff spot.
1. Orlando Magic center out of rotation
Mo Bamba was selected 6th overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. His potential as a floor-spacing, rim-running, shot-blocking, ultra-athletic 7-footer was too tempting for Orlando to pass up.
Across four-and-a-half seasons, these attractive traits have not translated into a superstar center. Bamba has career averages of 7.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.4 blocks on 48% shooting percentage and 35.6% 3-shooting percentage. .
That’s not to say the former Texas standout hasn’t grown into a serviceable big. doing. He shoots 37.6% of deep shots on 5 or more attempts is also nothing to scoff at.
Drew Eubanks has exceeded expectations backing up Nurkic, but Bamba’s ability to stretch the floor for an offensively struggling second unit is acting as a legitimate deterrent at the opposite rim.
There is a risk-reward factor here as well. Bamba has a non-guaranteed salary of $10.3 million next season. If the experiment goes wrong, Portland can easily cut the bait and move on.
[ad_2]
Source link
