The Portland Trail Blazers’ backcourt could be described as crowded or stacked, depending on one’s point of view of the collective talent. The frontcourt however, runs on three fantastic starters and one elite back up big man. Beyond that, the rest of the depth is made up of journeymen trying to crack into the rotation. The collection of talent ranges from a hard working two-way success story, to a former lottery pick trying to prove he still belongs as part of a team’s future. All of them will get
opportunities to show their value throughout the season, and some may even be crucial to specific wins. So that leads us to asking…
Of the deeper bench players: Branden Carlson, Micah Potter, Yang Hansen, Vit Krejci, and Jeremy Sochan, who carves out the most important role?
Max Contract: I’m going to go with Jeremy Sochan. He has the most experience playing under Greg Popovich and the Spurs system, before joining the Knicks mid-season and became part of an immediate run to an NBA Championship. His three point shooting has been awful, which cost him his spot in San Antonio. His defensive ability, however, is excellent and has a big frame that allows him to guard all five positions. He practiced against Victor Wembanyama for about two years, and I can see Nori leveraging him against Wemby when the two teams meet. I can see him playing small ball center in an offensive lineup that features Lillard, Holiday, and Avdija, as Sochan is a middle class man’s Toumani Camara. He’ll also be called upon quickly if frontcourt injury strikes, to help buoy the defense for the minutes Dame and Ja share the court. I’m intrigued by Micah Potter, and what he might add, and I do think we’re going to see Vit Krejci shoot the 3-ball closer to his career average of 39% vs the frigid 30% he shot last season after being traded here. Krejci is a fun, floor spacing wild card in a Deni/Ja led lineup. I haven’t seen enough of Branden Carlson to get a good enough feel about him, but if he beats out Yang Hansen for the 3rd center spot, that’s not the best ringing endorsement of Portland’s controversial 2025 first round draft pick. Yang needs another development focused season regardless.
Josh Fisher: The Blazers need a backup center when Robert Williams doesn’t play, and Branden Carlson has the requisite size with a rangy, athletic body. If Time Lord’s restrictions look anything like last season, and if Carlson beats out Yang Hansen for the third-string center spot, he’ll step into an immediate, clear cut role. Out of the rest, Micah Potter could help shore up Portland’s defensive rebounding and shooting, I think he’ll carve out a niche.
Kevin Lawler: Until we see more from Vit Krejci, my pick is Micah Potter. He quietly showed potential on an Indiana Pacers team that took a gap year without Tyrese Haliburton last season. In 47 games, Potter scored in double-figures 22 times despite averaging only 19.3 minutes. He made 42.3% of his 3.6 three-point attempts per game. That skill set should fit nicely, spacing the floor when Avdija or Morant attacks the paint or when Lillard calls for a high screen. Coach Micah Nori spent years in Minnesota where Naz Reid played in double-big lineups as a knockdown three-point threat. Maybe he’ll be able to coax something similar out of Potter.
Paul Navarre: Vit Krejci is the most important role player for the Blazers. He’s here to knock down open threes, and at 30.3% last season he flat-out failed. But he shot over 40% over two and a half seasons in Atlanta, so regression to the mean is by far the most likely outcome. With Dame, Ja and Deni all wanting room to attack, a shooter who punishes help defense raises this team’s ceiling. I predict he gets back near 40%.
Adrian Bernecich: Out of the names above, it’s probably Krejci if he can find his shot. If not, it’s Carlson, who will be important if Robert Williams III can’t suit up every night. Sochan and Potter (both on non-guaranteed contracts) aren’t even certain to make the final roster.
With so many new faces on the team in the frontcourt, Micah Nori has several skillsets he can turn to based on the game situation. I should note we omitted Sidy Cissoko from this list because it appears he is going to start the season as a member of the reserve rotation. Who do you see rising from the depths of the bench to provide the Blazers with their biggest spark this season?
