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(SportsNetwork.com) – The Portland Trail Blazers were one of the league’s bigger surprises last season, but they’ll have to improve through free agency because they don’t own a pick in this draft.
Portland is loaded with young talent like All-Stars LaMarcus Aldridge and Damian Lillard.
What the Blazers need, and it’s a rather desperate need, is depth. The Portland bench finished last in the NBA in second-unit scoring, so that’s an area of concern.
Problem is, the Blazers don’t have a ton of flexibility in cap space, or roster space. They have at least 12 players under contract for next season.
It’s hard to imagine the Blazers get into this draft, but anything is possible. It won’t be anywhere higher than somewhere in the mid-20s.
Under Contract: F LaMarcus Aldridge; F Nicolas Batum; G Wesley Matthews; C Robin Lopez; F Thomas Robinson; G Damian Lillard; F Dorell Wright; C Joel Freeland; G C.J. McCollum; C Meyers Leonard; F Victor Claver; G Allen Crabbe; G Will Barton
Free Agents: G Mo Williams (player option); G Earl Watson
Recent Draft History: 2013: C.J. McCollum (10), Jeff Withey (39), Grant Jerrett (40), Marko Todorovic (45)
2012: Damian Lillard (6), Meyers Leonard (11), Will Barton (40), Tyshawn Taylor (41)
2011: Nolan Smith (21), Jon Diebler (51)
2010: Elliot Williams (22), Armon Johnson (34)
2009: Victor Claver (22), Dante Cunningham (33), Jon Brockman (38), Patrick Mills (55)