Blazers Earn High Marks in SI’s Offseason Grades

The Trail Blazers, despite operating in a market that isn’t known as a free agent destination, have successfully reeled off a series of moves through the first week of the NBA’s offseason.

Portland’s headline additions of Robert Covington, Derrick Jones Jr. and Enes Kanter garnered a positive review from Sports Illustrated’s Michael Shapiro. In SI’s offseason grades, the Blazers received an A grade from Shapiro.

The Blazers continue to build splendidly around their dynamic backcourt, and the 2020 offseason has been defined by Portland’s maneuvers in the frontcourt. Robert Covington brings impressive defensive versatility–as does Derrick Jones Jr.–and Enes Kanter adds a legitimate center alongside Jusuf Nurkic. This Portland roster is deep and malleable, able to upsize and downsize seamlessly depending on the opponent. Neil Olshey may have built the third-best team in the West as we approach 2020-21.

Significant injury and roster construction issues resulted in the Blazers finishing below .500 last season. On paper, this year’s roster should result in a stronger regular season for Portland.

You can read Shapiro’s full set of grades at Sports Illustrated.