Free Veteran Agents That Would Help Blazers Return To Playoff Contention

Portland needs to target these veterans in free agency to help steer them in the right direction.

The Portland Trail Blazers have a lot of work to do this summer, including figuring out their guard rotation. Following Damian Lillard’s departure, the Blazers relied on Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Malcolm Brogdon, and Scoot Henderson to man the backcourt. Unfortunately, that group failed to keep things together for Portland last season.

The stats indicate that the Blazers’ backcourt drastically needs to improve. They were last in the league in assist percentage (58.7) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.52). Hence, it comes as no surprise that their offense was mediocre, finishing 29th in the league with an offensive rating of 116.6. The Blazers must address these offensive issues in free agency this offseason. However, with limited financial flexibility, Portland’s best option is to see who among the role players in free agency can step up and give them direction.

Malik Beasley

Malik Beasley, a player who has shown promise in the past, is in a relative slump. After a breakout year in 2019 with the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Florida State guard hasn’t contributed as much as anticipated. With the Milwaukee Bucks this season, Beasley had respectable averages of 11.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. However, his impact on teams like the Utah Jazz, Los Angeles Lakers, and now, the Bucks, has been modest. Beasley is in his prime at 27 years old. He’s at a crucial point in his career and could benefit from increased playing time to get back on track. As a career 38.5 three-point shooter, Beasley could come off the bench and provide the Blazers with the much-needed shooting they require.

Robert Covington

A familiar name the Trail Blazers may want to reconsider is Robert Covington, who previously played two seasons in Portland. Since the Blazers traded him to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2022, the production of the former Tennessee State Tiger took a dramatic dip. This season with the Philadelphia 76ers, Covington averaged 4.5 points and 3.4 rebounds, only playing 16.1 minutes per game.

Despite his lack of productivity lately, Covington is a career 36.2 percent three-point shooter and would instantly boost the Blazers’ offense with his floor spacing alone. With good positional size at 6-foot-7, Covington can also help on defense by guarding the opposing team’s best player. If the Blazers are looking to make an aggressive playoff push next season, Covington is someone they should target with his two-way skillset.

Between two-time All-Defensive player Matisse Thybulle, promising rookie Toumani Camara, and now Robert Covington, the Blazers would have great length and defensive versatility at their wing positions. Covington would give head coach Chauncey Billups more lineup flexibility since he is a better shooter than Thybulle and Camara. Given his age and low statistical output over the past few seasons, Covington is also a realistic target for the Blazers from a financial standpoint.

Spencer Dinwiddie

Spencer Dinwiddie is another promising player whose career has taken a different turn lately. Injuries have hampered his productivity, although ‘The Mayor’ has been slowly showing signs of progress in recovering from them. With the Los Angeles Lakers, Dinwiddie showed he’s still capable of being a playmaker and initiating the offense. He’s a well-rounded guard who can excel in various aspects if given enough opportunity. Dinwiddie’s potential role with the Blazers depends on what they ultimately decide to do with their guards and if Anfernee Simons and Malcolm Brogdon are still on their roster next season.

Other names available in free agency that could make sense for the Blazers, such as Malik Monk or De’Anthony Melton, are also available. However, the possibility of signing these players depends on their price tag. Seeing that the Trail Blazers are close to the luxury tax line, offers may not be attractive enough to acquire that type of player. Much of the Blazers’ budget is tied to four players – Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton, Brogdon, and Simons – which is one of the reasons Portland can only do so much as far as improving its roster. Unless they plan to trade some of their high-salaried players, the Trail Blazers’ free agency options are somewhat limited.