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Player Profile: Dorell Wright & Joel Freeland

While Meyers Leonard’s increased effectiveness as a stretch four could cut into Wright’s minutes, looking at minutes played that kind of misses the point in terms of what makes Wright a useful player. Wright value is in his ability to get a DNP one night, then play a vital role the next. Time after time, Wright has shown a capability to make timely plays and hit big shots cold off the bench in high-pressure situations, his performance versus Houston in the first round of the 2014 playoffs being Exhibit A. The Blazers don’t win that series without Wright’s contribution.

Which is why, while the injury to Wesley Matthews was obviously the most devastating blow to Portland’s 2014-15 season, Wright fracturing his left hand on April 1 might have been straw that truly broke Portland’s playoff hopes. It’s hard to say the Blazers would have beaten the Grizzlies with a healthy Dorell Wright with the way the series played out, but they would have had a much better chance had be been available.

It’s pretty difficult to tell at this point whether Wright will be a Trail Blazer next season, but you could do a whole lot worse than bringing back a well-liked player who knows the system, can stretch the floor, backup both forward positions and be fine with a reserve role.

By Casey Holdahl - As for Joel Freeland, the 6-10 Englishman just can’t catch a break. Every time it seems like he’s making progress toward being a regular part of Portland’s rotation, he’s been fell by injury. Last season it was a sprained MCL in his right knee, this season it was a right shoulder strain sustained while trying to block a shot at the rim. Neither injury seemed all that bad initially, though both infirmities would caused him to miss at least 30 games. Three years in, Freeland has never played more than 52 games a season. That’s unfortunate, especially considering how hard he has worked to round himself into a useful NBA big man.

Though he’s not likely to “wow” you with his play, Freeland plays the with the kind of hustle and scrap, particularly on the defensive end, that every team needs from players coming off the bench. He’ll never be as offensively skilled as LaMarcus Aldridge, Chris Kaman and Meyers Leonard, but he plays the kind of smart, position defense that pairs well with his more offensive-minded teammates.