5 teams that got better during 2020 NBA free agency

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LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 04: Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball against Robert Covington #33 of the Houston Rockets during the second half at The Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 04, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

4. Portland Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers didn’t generate many headlines during free agency, but they had a quietly brilliant offseason nevertheless.

Heading into the draft, the Blazers traded Trevor Ariza, the No. 16 overall pick and a protected future first-rounder to the Houston Rockets for Robert Covington, who should slide in as the perfect 3-and-D complement to Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Covington is a notoriously streaky shooter, but he’s a brilliant off-ball defender who can wreak havoc in passing lanes and guard forwards and centers alike.

The Blazers also wiggled their way into a three-team draft-night trade, sending Mario Hezonja to the Memphis Grizzlies while receiving Enes Kanter from the Boston Celtics. Kanter thrived in place of starting center Jusuf Nurkic toward the end of the 2018-19 season, and he’s a proven backup big who already has chemistry with the Blazers’ star guards.

The Blazers overpaid a bit to re-sign Rodney Hood (two years, $20.9 million), although the second year of his contract isn’t guaranteed, and 3-and-D wings don’t grow on trees. The acquisition of Covington should allow them to bring Hood along slowly as he returns from an Achilles tear, although he eventually projects as a high-upside sixth man or a starter.

They further bolstered their forward depth chart by signing Derrick Jones Jr. to a two-year, $19 million contract, which also might seem like an overpay based on his career stats and projected role in Portland. However, the springy 23-year-old should provide some nice pop off the bench alongside Hood, Kanter, Gary Trent Jr. and Anfernee Simons, giving the Blazers one of the deeper rotations in the NBA.

Portland’s free-agency coup de grace was bringing back Carmelo Anthony on a one-year minimum contract. The 10-time All-Star filled in admirably on the injury-ravaged Blazers last season, averaging 15.4 points and 6.3 rebounds in 32.8 minutes per game, and he can either start at the 4 in place of Zach Collins or serve as the sixth man until Hood is back up to speed. Taking a one-year flier on Harry Giles as bench depth is icing on the cake, too.

A rash of injuries sent the Blazers skidding to the No. 8 seed last season, but they’re far deeper this time around. Don’t be surprised if they end up challenging for a top-four seed in the brutally competitive Western Conference.

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