The Portland Trail Blazers appear set on winning as many games as possible next season, building on the young roster’s growth in recent months. General Manager Joe Cronin will no doubt be hoping for continued internal growth but he may also look to add more established players via free agency.
As of now, the franchise is above next year's salary cap but roughly $17 million below the luxury tax. Depending on what they do at the draft and in trade, they should still be eligible for the full Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level Exception at $14.1 million when free agency opens on June 30.
The problem is a multitude of teams will have the same amount to play with, making competition for more impactful Mid-Level-type players that much more intense.
Today we discuss six free agents who could secure annual salaries between the $5.1 Bi-Annual Exception amount and the $14.1 million Mid-Level.
Quentin Grimes
Age: 25
Position: Guard/Wing
Incumbent team:Philadelphia 76ers
Availability: Restricted free agent
2024-25: 14.6 points, 38.5 3pt%, 46.7 FG%, 4.3 boards, 3.0 assists, 1.0 steals
Likely amount: extremely close to $14.1 million
Chances: Unlikely
The Dallas Mavericks’ biggest blunder of the past 12 months was clearly trading Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers. I’d argue sending Grimes and a second-round pick to Philadelphia for Caleb Martin was the second worst.
In 28 games with the 76ers, Grimes averaged 21.9 points on 37.3 percent from three, 5.2 boards, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steal. Among combo guards, he ranked seventh in corner three-point shooting, 10th in two-point scoring and 15th in effective field goal percentage.
Grimes is also above average on the defensive end, finishing above the 60th percentile in steals and blocks among combo guards and able to guard a variety of players.
I dithered about including Grimes on this list given his restricted status and Philadelphia’s ability to match an offer sheet. But given the current state of the 76ers and the possibility they take VJ Edgecombe with the third pick, you never know.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Age: 26
Position: Wing
Incumbent team:Minnesota Timberwolves
Availability: Unrestricted Free Agent
2024-25: 9.4 points, 38.1 3pt%, 43.8 FG%, 3.2 boards, 2.7 assists, 0.6 steals
Likely amount: $12 - 14 million
Chances: Unlikely
The Canadian spent a grand total of 24 hours as a Blazer in the days leading into the 2022 trade deadline. Brought in as part of the CJ McCollum trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, he was moved the following day to the Utah Jazz. In hindsight, probably a mistake by the Blazers front office but it was mistake also made by the Pelicans and Jazz.
At 6’5 with a 6’10 wingspan, Alexander-Walker has proved to be a Jack-of-all-trades, helping the Timberwolves to two consecutive Western Conference Finals.
But the Wolves’ massive payroll may make it difficult to hold onto Alexander-Walker as well as pending player option players Julius Randle and Naz Reid. While Alexander-Walker has been a key rotation player, the former number 17 pick might be the odd man out in Minneapolis.
If so, he will be in demand, making it difficult for the Blazers to standout as his preferred option.
Dennis Schroeder
Age: 31
Position: Point guard
Incumbent team:Detroit Pistons
Availability: Unrestricted free agent
2024-25: 13.1 points, 34.2 3pt%, 40.6 FG%, 2.6 boards, 5.4 assists, 0.9 steals
Likely amount: $10 - $12 million
Chances: Possible
The ultimate journeyman point guard. Schroeder had a massive impact on the young Pistons squad after arriving at the deadline. He played a key role in Detroit’s feisty first round series against the New York Knicks, playing serious minutes. The 31-year-old has also proved it on the international stage, leading his German national team to a FIBA World Cup title in 2023.
Schroeder’s limitations are clear. Standing 6’1, he tends to be overly enamored with his own shot from time to time. But if the Blazers do move on from Anfernee Simons this summer, the German might be a nice mentor to Scoot Henderson while providing a steady stream of scoring and facilitation off the bench.
With Jaden Ivey set to return to the Pistons lineup next season, Schroeder may be looking elsewhere for playing time. If interested, the Blazers probably have some competition for the floor general though I doubt he earns more than the Non-Taxpayer Mid-Level.
Caris LeVert
Age: 30
Position: Wing
Incumbent team:Atlanta Hawks
Availability: Unrestricted Free Agent
2024-25: 12.1 points, 37.3 3pt%, 46.7 FG%, 3.2 boards, 3.4 assists, 0.9 steals
Likely amount: $10 - 12 million
Chances: Unlikely
LeVert is probably a long shot for multiple reasons. As we speak, the Blazers lay claim to a collection of big wings already on the roster. I also doubt LeVert would want to subject himself to said situation. He also doesn’t fit the defensive profile Cronin has been constructing as part of this new Blazers era.
But if the Blazers did trade away some of their wings in bigger deals and were looking for a veteran capable of putting the ball through the hoop, they could do a lot worse. It’s unlikely to happen but still worth mentioning.
Gary Trent Jr
Age: 26
Position: Wing
Incumbent team:Milwaukee Bucks
Availability: Unrestricted Free Agent
2024-25: 11.1 points, 41.6 3pt%, 43.1 FG%, 2.3 boards, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals
Likely amount: $10 - 12 million
Chances: Maybe
Trent Jr. reportedly had a tough time during his initial stint with the Blazers. But that was under the Neil Olshey regime so you wonder with he might be amiable to a second go.
The 26-year-old stepped up in the wake of Damian Lillard’s tragic playoff injury, notably in what became the Bucks’ final game of the season. If he was willing to return to Oregon, Trent Jr. would add another source of offense this team has desperately needed. He also fits the tenacious defensive archetype the Blazers have cultivated in recent years.
Obviously, like LeVert, playing time would be an issue but I think he earns minutes over some of the current names.
Bruce Brown
Age: 28
Position: Wing
Incumbent team: New Orleans Pelicans
Availability: Unrestricted Free Agent
2024-25: 8.3 points, 33.3 3pt%, 42.1 FG%, 4.0 boards, 2.0 assists, 0.8 steals
Likely amount: $8 - 10 million
Chances: Possible
Brown’s star has fallen considerably since winning an NBA Championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023. That NBA Finals performance earned him a two-year, $45 million dollar deal with the Indiana Pacers, which unfortunately ended up the responsibility of three different franchises.
But at 28, Brown could still be capable of rekindling that championship form. He’s a versatile defender, who can genuinely do a little bit of everything on offense. I’ve set his price at $8-to-$10 million but I could also be severely underestimating his value.
If signed by Portland, it’s likely that, like LeVert and Trent Jr, the Blazers have traded away some of their incumbent wing brigade.
Conclusion
Free agency won’t be front of line for the Blazers this summer as the front office likely uses trades to refine the roster with multiple veterans expected to land elsewhere. The Non-Taxpayer-Mid-Level Exception could be an opportunity for Joe Cronin to add a little more experience to the young roster.
None of the above names is starting for the Blazers next season but they’d surely be helpful in reinforcing a bench rotation via much-needed experience and two-way versatility. There’s every chance the Blazers show no interest in the above names and I’m completely wrong. But if they did land one of the six, I’d be in favor within the projected price range.