Scotto: Blazers Interested in Inviting Several Veteran Forwards to Camp

The Trail Blazers recently signed Marquese Chriss and Dennis Smith Jr. to training camp deals as the start of the 2021-22 season inches closer. According to HoopsHype contributor Michael Scotto, the Blazers might not be finished inviting players to Portland in order to compete for a roster spot.

On Wednesday, Scotto explained that he has heard that the Blazers have shown interest in a quartet of veteran frontcourt players.

I’ve heard several forwards that Portland has interest in potentially bringing to training camp. One of them is Michael Beasley, who played in Summer League for the Blazers. I’ve also heard Patrick Patterson’s name linked to Portland as a possibility.

James Ennis has drawn interest from the Blazers as well as the Bulls, Lakers, and Magic, I’m told.

Another guy who came up is a center, Isaiah Hartenstein. He’s drawn interest from Portland. Another team that’s in the mix for him is the Clippers, I’m told.

Beasley, who was a part of the Blazers’ Las Vegas Summer League roster earlier this summer, has not suited up in the NBA regular season since the 2018-19 campaign. Patterson, who has carved out a decade-long career as a stretch four, appeared in 38 games with the Clippers last year. James Ennis, a 31-year-old forward, started in 37 contests with the Magic in the 2020-21 season. Hartenstein, a 23-year-old center, bounced between the Nuggets and Cavaliers last year.

Each player that Scotto listed has some level of familiarity with the Blazers’ current coaching staff. Hartenstein and Ennis both played for the Rockets while assistant coach Roy Rogers was on staff in Houston. Patterson and Chauncey Billups were both a part of the Clippers’ organization last year. Finally, Beasley spent several weeks with the Blazers’ current staff before and during the festivities in Las Vegas.

You can read the complete rundown from Scotto at HoopsHype.