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Portland Doesn't Extend Qualifying Offers To 3 Players
The Portland Trail Blazers have opted not to extend qualifying offers to any of its three incumbent two-way players from the end of the 2023-24 season, making southpaw small forward Justin Minaya, center Ibou Badji, and point guard Ashton Hagans all unrestricted two-way free agents.
Minaya, a 6-foot-5 swingman, appeared in 34 contests for Portland in 2023-24, averaging a scant 1.8 points on 29.7 percent field goal shooting, plus 1.6 boards. Across nine regular season contests with the Blazers' G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix, Minaya posted averages of 16.2 points on .505/.352/.765 shooting splits, six rebounds, three assists and 0.8 steals.
Hagans, a 6-foot-1 Kentucky product, appeared in 19 games for Portland this past season, averaging 4.2 points on .408/.320/.824 shooting splits, 2.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds a night. In 20 games with the Remix, Hagans averaged 16.1 points while slashing .435/.286/.803, plus 8.9 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per.
The 7-foot-1 Badji averaged a scant 1.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and, uh, 2.1 fouls in his 22 games with Portland during his rookie season last year, including one start. During his four regular season contests with Rip City (three starts), Badji averaged 4.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a contest.
At the start of free agency Sunday night, the Trail Blazers may have to make a trade or two to carve out some standard roster room if they're looking to make new additions that way. The team still has all of its two-way slots open for 2024-25.
Blazers Preview: Intriguing Pieces Apparent, But Identity And Cornerstone May Not Be
Blazers PreviewA look at the Portland Trail Blazers entering the 2024-25 season …
OverviewThe Blazers, one year into life without Damian Lillard, are searching. Not just for wins (those have been scarce), but for something more important — an identity. A cornerstone. A reason for fans to believe that brighter days are ahead.
Sure, Portland has some intriguing pieces. Jerami Grant? Productive. Deandre Ayton? Coming off a strong finish last season. But are either of them the guy you build around? Not likely.
Ayton might not even be around for the long haul, especially with the Blazers drafting Donovan Clingan at No. 7 in June. Grant? As good as he's been, that $160 million deal will be tough to move, but you can bet GM Joe Cronin will explore his options if a trade partner can be found.
Then there's Anfernee Simons, who can flat-out score. His shooting and athleticism? Legit. But defensively? He's a turnstile. And at 6-foot-3, can he really be your top option? If you're building a contender, the answer's probably no.
Which brings us to Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson. These two are the wild cards, the players Portland needs to take a leap.
Sharpe looked the part of a future star before injuries derailed his sophomore campaign. Now, after more surgery, he's expected to miss the start of the season.
Henderson, meanwhile, struggled to finish at the rim and hit a jumper in Year 1. Yes, he's explosive. Yes, the talent's there. But until he becomes more efficient, you can't pencil him in as a franchise cornerstone either.
So, is there a future star on this roster? That's the million-dollar question, and right now, the answer is murky.
Best case, the vets — Ayton, Grant, Simons — help provide some stability while Sharpe, Henderson, and Clingan develop. Then, come trade season, Cronin moves a few pieces to free up more minutes for the kids and secure another high draft pick.
For now, though, the Blazers still look like a team in search of that big, bright star.
One thing's for sure — that player, whoever it is, will have to emerge soon, or Portland might be staring at another long year in the lottery.
Trail Blazers News: Portland Doesn't Extend Qualifying Offers To 3 Players
The Portland Trail Blazers have opted not to extend qualifying offers to any of its three incumbent two-way players from the end of the 2023-24 season, making southpaw small forward Justin Minaya, center Ibou Badji, and point guard Ashton Hagans all unrestricted two-way free agents.
Minaya, a 6-foot-5 swingman, appeared in 34 contests for Portland in 2023-24, averaging a scant 1.8 points on 29.7 percent field goal shooting, plus 1.6 boards. Across nine regular season contests with the Blazers' G League affiliate, the Rip City Remix, Minaya posted averages of 16.2 points on .505/.352/.765 shooting splits, six rebounds, three assists and 0.8 steals.
Hagans, a 6-foot-1 Kentucky product, appeared in 19 games for Portland this past season, averaging 4.2 points on .408/.320/.824 shooting splits, 2.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds a night. In 20 games with the Remix, Hagans averaged 16.1 points while slashing .435/.286/.803, plus 8.9 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per.
The 7-foot-1 Badji averaged a scant 1.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and, uh, 2.1 fouls in his 22 games with Portland during his rookie season last year, including one start. During his four regular season contests with Rip City (three starts), Badji averaged 4.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks a contest.
At the start of free agency Sunday night, the Trail Blazers may have to make a trade or two to carve out some standard roster room if they're looking to make new additions that way. The team still has all of its two-way slots open for 2024-25.
More Trail Blazers: Watch Exclusive View Into Donovan Clingan Pre-Draft Workout
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