NBA Free Agency 2017: 5 offseason targets for the Portland Trail Blazers
By Connor Learn
2. Jeff Withey signs into exception
Part of the logic of not seeking out free agency this summer is that the Trail Blazers are a very deep squad. Neil Olshey has an eye for talent and they are at least two deep with real players in most spots as a result. But as Portland showed last year, that doesn’t mean they are without flaws. Interior defense and rebounding were the undoing of the Trail Blazers last season and should be addressed more this summer.
Trading for Jusuf Nurkic helped turn around Portland’s season, as he alleviated their weaknesses immediately. Drafting Zach Collins and Caleb Swanigan addressed them as well. But the backup center spot could still be a concern for the Trail Blazers, especially if the 19-year-old Collins isn’t ready for minutes. Ed Davis and Meyers Leonard are more suited for power forward and Festus Ezeli is gone as well. There is a short term need for a quality backup center behind the oft-injured Nurkic.
Withey faces free agency after proving himself as an NBA player with the Jazz. He is a limited player, with a clear role. Withey finished sixth in the league among players who played 500 minutes in blocks per 36 minutes last season. He finishes efficiently and rebounds at an average rate as well. The Kansas product would fill a clear need in Portland. Not the most exciting signing, but those aren’t happening for the Trail Blazers this summer.