Reports came out this morning that the Portland Trail Blazers had agreed to sign free agent small forward Dorrell Wright.Wright had received interest from the Oklahoma City Thunder, but choose Portland because he felt he would fit well into Blazers coach Terry Stott’s system. Wright’s contract, which is reported to be two years, $6 million, would leave the Blazers with just enough cap space to sign a player to the veteran’s minimum.
Wright is a sharpshooter who will keep the floor spread. In his last season with the Philadelphia 76ers, he averaged 9.2 points on 37-percent shooting from three-point range. His 6-foot-9 frame also gives him the ability to drive down the lane if needed.
In my opinion, I love the signing.
He can easily spot up and shoot the three-pointers. His ability to shoot well causes the defender to stay on him, instead of helping on defense in the post. This opens up space for forwards like LaMarucus Aldridge to go to work down low. It also provides a spot-up shooter, should a driving guard need to pass out.
Later that afternoon, rumors had surfaced that the Blazers signed free agent point guard Earl Watson as well.
Watson, who last played for the Utah Jazz, recorded averages of two points and four assists in 17.3 minutes per game off the bench. However, he only played in 48 games. Without knowing it, he had been playing the entire season with a sports hernia. Since he first found out, he has had it treated and will be in shape to play for the Blazers come opening night.
Watson was the one last player Portland could sign using the veterans minimum. He will make $1.4 million this upcoming season, the only year on his contract. I am not in love with the signing, but I don’t think its bad.
Watson will likely be a third-string point guard who can provide relief at his position in the scenario that one of the two players above him gets hurt. I wouldn’t expect him to play for much this season, but regardless, he will help the team. He is a class act off the court and will help young guards like Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum how to behave and act off the court.
There is only one reason I don’t like this signing. I feel that we should have addressed the need of defensive center with the remaining cap space. We could have gotten free agent center Samuel Dalembert, who last played for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Regardless, I will take the signing and move on.
