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PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: STATE OF THE FRANCHISE

State of the Franchise

Projected Cap Space (before luxury tax): $52.1 million

Background: After drafting SG/PG Brandon Roy, PF LaMarcus Aldridge, and C Greg Oden over a span of two years, the Blazers supposedly had the core of their future. However, things didn't quite turn out as planned. While all three players constantly battled injuries, only Aldridge overcame them and lived up to his potential. He was, and still is, a double-double threat and was known for his reliable and deadly fade away mid-range jumper. In 2009, they signed him to a 5 year/$65 million extension. Brandon Roy retired and Greg Oden was constantly injured, which left the Blazers with just Aldridge. There were rumors at one point that Aldridge wanted out of Portland, but he was never traded. Then, in the 2012 NBA Draft, they selected PG Damian Lillard sixth overall. He went on to win Rookie of the Year, unanimously, and along with Aldridge was an All Star the next year. Portland made it to the playoffs and knocked out the Houston Rockets in the first round with a Damian Lillard buzzer beater three pointer. They lost in the next round, though, to the Spurs, who went on to win the title. This year, they will be looking to go back to the playoffs and get even further.

Current Financial State: The Blazers are projected to have only $25 million under contract for next season. Many contracts will come off the books this offseason, including those of Aldridge, amnestied Brandon Roy, SG Wesley Matthews, and C Robin Lopez. The Blazers will likely be looking to keep all of them, of course with the exception of the retired Brandon Roy. Aldridge is their star and has repeatedly expressed his interest in staying in Portland as of late, and Matthews and Lopez are key starters and both play a major role in the rotation. Lillard is still on his cheap rookie deal but with his performance so far in his career, he undoubtedly deserves a max extension soon. With his extension coming closer as time passes, Portland will need to maintain some financial flexibility to keep one of their core stars of the present and future.

Targets: The way they've performed so far this season, Portland's primary goals will certainly be to keep all the members of their core starting five that hit free agency: Aldridge, Matthews, and Lopez. Aldridge easily deserves a max contract the way he's been performing this season. Matthews is likely due for something like a 4 year/$48 million deal. Lopez is due for something around a 3 year/$18 million deal. In addition to re-signing their core, the Blazers would like to spend the rest of their money improving their bench, as they have been known for having starters playing really heavy minutes. Portland is likely to go after a wing player for multiple reasons. With Lillard at point guard and Aldridge and Lopez manning the frontcourt, wing is probably the weakest position, even with three point sharpshooters SG Wesley Matthews and SF Nicolas Batum. Secondly, wing might also be their least deep position. In an effort to improve their bench last season, the Trail Blazers went out and signed PG Steve Blake and C Chris Kaman. This provides more depth at PG and C, which gives even more reason to get a wing player this offseason. Lastly, Batum is having a bit of an off-year so far, with his averages dropping although he still fills the stat sheet. For an actual target, they might go after SG/SF Arron Afflalo of the Denver Nuggets. He is a veteran wing player who can shoot threes and provide scoring for them off the bench, something they've wanted for a while. Also, as a title contender, they could always use more leadership and experience, which Afflalo also brings to the team. The Blazers have a lot of money to spend this offseason, and they should make the most of it.

The Fit: The Portland team currently plays really well together, and so all their free agents they are re-signing fit well with them. Having Lillard, Matthews, and Batum gives Portland a lot of floor spacing and it also gives Aldridge lots of room to work in the post or shoot his unstoppable mid-range jumper. Afflalo also fits in really well with Portland. He basically plays a lot like Matthews, capable of draining threes and scoring, except he comes off the bench. By having someone who plays like Matthews come off the bench, they can give Matthews, and even Batum, a breather whenever necessary. As they showed last year, they are a team capable of taking down other Western Conference powerhouses like Houston. By making these improvements, they'll have a championship soon.
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