After LaMarcus Aldridge left for the San Antonio Spurs in free agency, the Portland Trail Blazers used their cap space on several younger free agents who they perceived as still possessing upside.

A big part of how the Blazers have been successful under Neil Olshey and Terry Stotts has been player development.

"When LaMarcus made his decision, we shifted gears as quickly as possible," said Olshey. "And that's how we were able to build the infrastructure of even adding more younger guys around the same career arc as Damian Lillard. A lot of those guys have out-produced their contract, a lot of them are working to still do that. The confidence we have in our coaches, our system, our culture will put them in a position to maybe be more successful than they were in their previous stops is what will help us eventually optimize their asset value, whether it's with us or someone else."

Ed Davis and Al-Farouq Aminu were signed in free agency, while the Blazers traded for Noah Vonleh, Maurice Harkless, Gerald Henderson and Mason Plumlee.