National Basketball Association

Portland Trail Blazers: Good, Bad And Ugly From 2016 NBA Offseason

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Apr 5, 2016; Sacramento, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) walk up the court during the fourth quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Sleep Train Arena. The Portland Trail Blazers defeated the Sacramento Kings 115-107. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

The Portland Trail Blazers made some moves this summer to stay competitive in the Western Conference, let’s take a look at the Good, the Bad and the Ugly of their offseason

The Portland Trail Blazers exited the Western Conference playoffs last season with quite a buzz. After knocking off the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round, they were defeated by the Golden State Warriors in possibly the most competitive five game series in NBA playoff history.

The Blazers main focus of the offseason was to surround Superstar Damian Lillard with a supporting cast to remain competitive in the West. The emergence of C.J. McCollum was huge, especially after losing LaMarcus Aldridge in free agency last summer, but as we saw in the playoffs it simply wasn’t enough.

With that in mind, the Blazers did make a few changes this summer. Hopefully, it’ll be enough to take this team to the next level.

Here’s a look at the Good, Bad and Ugly from the Summer of the Portland Trail Blazers.

May 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Allen Crabbe (23) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the first quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Offseason Recap

The Portland Trail Blazers offseason was primarily under the influence of putting talent around Damian Lillard in order to keep up with the ever rampant Western Conference. Lillard flirted with superstardom last season with a 25.1 PPG, 6.8 APG and 4 RPG season and looks primed to make the next step in his career.

Portland was active and spent some money, while they didn’t necessarily hit home runs in the NBA offseason, they made solid contact in strengthening the core of the team. Even though they didn’t land the big names of rumored targets Chandler Parsons and Al Horford, they were able to fill depth chart holes.

Adding Turner and Ezeli certainly aren’t going to make the Blazers immediate contenders, but those two signings and retaining four core members of their team there won’t be an extreme amount of regression this season.

To the good.

May 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum (3) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the second quarter in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

The Good: Giving C.J. McCollum an extension

C.J. McCollum got paid. The Portland Trail Blazers, like I stated before, didn’t hit it big with a blockbuster free agent, but in hindsight I think that was a good move for the franchise. McCollum locked up gives the Blazers a dynamic backcourt duo until 2021.

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McCollum, the reigning NBA Most Improved Player, had a breakout 2015-16 campaign averaging 20.8 PPG, shot 41.7 percent from downtown and was able to start 80 games.

$106 million over four years is a lot of money, but that’s the NBA we live in now. Only 24 years of age, McCollum has the tools to be a big time player and a more than reliable second option for the Blazers.

The Blazers still might be searching next offseason for a third option to make a big three, with the salary cap going up once again. But they might be worrying about the luxury tax more than cap space after signing McCollum, Crabbe and Harkless to deals this past summer.

They might have some money if it wasn’t for…

Apr 26, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Evan Turner (11) dribbles against the Atlanta Hawks in the third quarter in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The Bad: Overpaying for Evan Turner

Evan Turner is an interesting player; he’s versatile and capable of making plays, but doesn’t spread the floor very well or open up offenses. Throwing $70 Million at him is a lot, in fact too much in the fact that they also threw $74 million at Allan Crabbe in order to keep him from him joining Brooklyn.

Turner is an all-around better player, but Crabbe is a much better shooter. I just don’t understand bringing both in to play relatively the same role.

Previously, I stated that Portland could use a third big name player to go with their backcourt, I don’t see Turner as that guy. Striking out on a big name free agent, GM Neil Olshey felt he needed to make some sort of free agent splash and that guy was Turner.

Turner’s career 10 PPG,12.4 PER, complete lack of shooting range and suspect defense doesn’t justify $70 million dollars even if does add to Portland’s depth.

Jan 29, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) and guard C.J. McCollum (3) look on against the Charlotte Hornets during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports

The Ugly: Another Ceiling Reached?

In a previous ‘Good, Bad, Ugly’, I placed a reached ceiling in the ugly of the Toronto Raptors. Like the Raptors, I worry the Portland Trail Blazers have reached their ceiling. With superteams forming and other teams in the West staying the course, does Portland really have a chance at anything other than a playoff berth and a series victory?

I absolutely love Damian Lillard; I’d place him in my five favorite players to watch but even with his immense abilities, it took an injured Clippers squad and a completely insane 2nd round performance in their respected 2016 playoff run.

Unless Lillard and McCollum reach levels of complete superstardom and can carry this Portland team, I don’t need see this team reaching further than a 1st or 2nd round exit in the Western Conference playoffs.

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