Current Depth Chart:

C- Mahinmi/Plumlee/D.Johnson/Bryant

PF- Gay/Yabusele/B. Johnson

SF- Brown /Layman/Iwundu

SG- Rivers/Korkmaz/Thornwell

PG- Rozier/Wright/Christon/Evans

The Story So Far: The NLL has had its share of bad GMs, but have any wrecked a team as bad as former Portland GM DJ Drew? Yes, the “Professor” is in contention for longest-lasting bad GM, but DJ Drew inherited a championship team in the Blazers and dismantled the hell out of them with one bad move after another. Lest we not forget Jarell Martin for the team’s 2018 1^st round pick? But seriously, when the dust settled and the league FINALLY kicked out DJ Drew, the Blazers had more or less nothing left than Jaylen Brown for poor new GM Toby to clean up. Actually, the Blazers are in better shape than the Heat, but not much. Fixing the Blazers will be a daunting task and some GMs are concerned that Toby might not be up for the task. In his first months as the new GM, he has demonstrated that his trading skills are somewhat rough around the edges. The Blazers, like the Heat, won’t be a quick fix. A new GM shouldn’t be too proud to ask for advice. Well, he doesn’t need to ask as here are some ideas to get the Blazers up and off on their feet again!

Ian Mahinmi- The Blazers had hoped Mahnimi would help them move ahead when they inked him to a four-year, $64 million deal last summer. However, the center missed most of the season with knee issues. His value is at an all-time low right now, but he supposedly entering the season in great shape. If the Blazers can get value now for him, push the trade button. However, his big salary is likely keeping the team above the minimum. We advise that Toby wait for Mahinmi to start performing and then trade him to a contending team needing a big.

Rudy Gay- Okay, let’s hope Toby isn’t showing some bad signs by trading for Gay, a long-time favorite of the “Professor.” They gave up a handful of nothing for the player (who missed most of last season with an Achilles issue). Now, the Blazers have to convince him to sign with them. Like Mahinmi, they should bring Gay along slowly and then, if he returns to his old form, move him for a pick or a good young piece. This is Gay project is a risky move, but sometimes a team in the dumps needs to take a risk.

Justin Anderson- Anderson hasn’t lived up to expectations yet in the league. The Blazers currently have him slotted in the starting SF slot, but we all know that’s not going to be where he ends up. He isn’t a starting caliber SF and he will be competing for minutes with a few other players. On the upside, he’s cheap and young, so the Blazers can afford to keep him and play him off the bench. If needed, he could be a good sweetener in a deal that’s on the edge. However, Anderson isn’t the player you want to build your franchise around.

Jaylen Brown- All right, we can say it, the Blazers are in better shape than the Heat. Does that mean DJ Drew was a better GM than the “Professor”? Well, there is a chance if DJ Drew was still here, he would have traded Brown for something dumb, like Ramon Sessions. At least the “Professor” would have traded him for Rudy Gay. This one is easy, though. Don’t move Brown unless you can get a king’s ransom. He is showing positive development and you can build around a player like this one. The sky is possibly the limit for this kid.

Terry Rozier- Rebuilding often takes time and sometimes that means sitting on players who develop a little slower than others. Rozier was supposed to break out last season, but he didn’t. While he’s definitely not a starting quality PG, he has potential and has shown flashes of brilliance. The problem is his NBA counterpart doesn’t get much PT. If you get a good offer for Rozier, take it. Otherwise, see how he goes and maybe wait out his rookie deal before you make a decision.  

Austin Rivers- One thing everyone should know is that Rivers probably won’t be listed as PG next season. This is one player Toby should be shopping and hoping to get some value back. The team needs a starting quality PF or PG. Try to get one of those. If nothing worthwhile is out there, keep Rivers and see how he goes this season now that Paul and Redick are out of town. Like the other vets on the team, don’t make any panic moves. If they do well in the NBA this season, their value will go up. If you get a good offer, take it. Otherwise, you have a strong (if somewhat overpaid) role player on your squad.

Brice Johnson- This season is sort of like Johnson’s real rookie year after he missed almost all of last year’s campaign. Another a young player with lots of potential, Johnson is a solid athlete with good length. He also plays a position (PF) where the Blazers are pretty thin. If Toby is lucky, Johnson could become a Taj Gibson-type player.

Delon Wright- Like Rozier last season, Wright is expected to have a break-out season in the NBA. We wouldn’t say he’s starting quality at this point. He is definitely on to hold onto at this point and monitor how things go.

Jake Layman- Layman is one of those fringe guys who will likely vanish at some point in the NBA. He can shoot all right and he’s a decent athlete. Best of all, he’s dirt cheap. That makes him worth a look, but once again, he will likely only be an average player at best and could be used a throw-in or a deal sweetener.

Semaj Christon- The Blazers will likely have to cull some players to get down to 15 guys before the season starts. If they have one thing in abundance it’s point guards. Right now, Christon is the odd man out. The team should look to move him for a 2^nd rounder.

Miles Plumlee- This ain’t the Plumlee you want on your squad. Hell, MARSHALL Plumlee is better because he costs $11 million less. This is one of the worst contracts in the league. He is overpaid and underskilled. Take anything you can for him! He was also busted for pot this summer. Great start to the new season!

Furkan Korkmaz- Let’s get this straight. Most rookies ain’t gonna fix your team. Korkmaz aint’ gonna fix the Blazers. He’s finally coming over to the NLL but on most teams, he would unlikely make the rotation. That may not be the case in Portland. Either way, Korkmaz could be a nice piece for rebuilding Portland.

Guerschon Yabusele- Could be the next Draymond Green…..or the next Anthony Bennett. Either way, the Blazers are a team with the time and space to see if Yabusele pans out. Giving up a player like Nance for him is a risky, but Yabusele has a higher ceiling. Hopefully, he will work out for the Blazers.

Jawun Evans- A PG who specializes in pick and roll, Evans has a chance to earn minutes on Portland since the team has no true lock at starting PG.

Wesley Iwundu- A decent prospect with three and D potential. He was stinky in Summer League, but who goes by Summer League? His three-year guaranteed deal is nice.

Dakari Johnson-  Johnson is an intriguing prospect because he seems poised to get some playing time in the NBA. A big, strong player, he earned comparisons to Aaron Gray. Remember him? The Blazers are going to have trim some players off their roster. Johnson may be the one to go.

Sindarius Thornwell- Since the Blazers don’t have many shooting guards, Thornwell could possibly see some minutes this year. Though he was the SEC Player of the Year, there is a good chance he will spend a lot of time shoring up his game in the G-League.

Thomas Bryant- Bryant was a late pick and the Blazers need to cut down their roster by two. However, Bryant may force Dakari Johnson to be the odd big man out. He has an incredible 7’6” wingspan and can play some good defense. On the downside, he isn’t in the best shape. He will have a guaranteed deal with an option. With Miles Plumlee your competition, Bryant may get some looks in Portland.