The Portland Trail Blazers could look at booth Al Horford and Hassan Whiteside as the team's free agency targets this summer, according to the latest NBA rumors.
The Blazers will have a chance to bolster their frontcourt lineup in the summer, with some of the league's top big men available in free agency. According to David MacKay of Blazers' Edge SB Nation, Whiteside and Horford are the two realistic options for the Blazers as the pair, aside from being unrestricted free agents, offers the most impact to the team.
Horford and Whiteside are two of the most sought-after bigs in this year's free agency class, with the former touted as a talented underrated veteran, while the latter an upcoming shot-blocking center full of potential to be a marquee player.
Whiteside would offer youth and athleticism and would complement the Blazers' core of young talents in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
Whiteside has been linked to several teams prior to the trade deadline and was at the center of every trade rumors for the Miami Heat. The 7-foot-center had a breakthrough season with the Miami Heat, posting career-high averages of 14.2 points, 11.9 rebounds and a league-leading 3.7 blocks per game.
The 26-year-old Whiteside would certainly get plenty of offers from other teams, especially those who have big markets like the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks, making it difficult for the Blazers to lure him to play for Rip City.
Meanwhile, Horford, like Whiteside, has been the topic of several trade talks leading up to the Feb. 18 deadline and has been linked to almost every team needing frontcourt help. With averages of 15.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per contest, Horford would boost the Blazers' inside scoring and would give the team a stretch four or five.
However, as MacKay noted, Horford seem to be a better fit because of his all-around skills and experience, which would be essential in leading a pack of youthful players.
The Blazers have managed to reach the playoffs, taking the fifth spot in the Western Conference despite lacking a dominating big man after losing LaMarcus Aldridge to free agency last summer. But the more interesting note is that the Blazers are doing it with good interior defense as they sit sixth in the league in Opponents Points in Paint per game, according to Team Rankings.
However, Portland, who have been riding in the coattails of Lillard and McCollum's remarkable form this season, only ranked 25th in the league for Points in Paint per game. This may suggest that while Whiteside would bring an immense defensive presence for the Blazers, the team's real need could is an offensive type of big man in Horford, who could score in many ways inside the paint.
Come this summer, the Blazers would be one of the free agent destinations, thanks to Terry Stotts and the team's front office, who have created a winning culture in Portland. It remains to be seen whether Whiteside or Horford would show interests in joining Lillard and the rest of the gang in Rip City, but the Blazers sure have a real chance of luring either one of them.