Trail Blazers' Al-Farouq Aminu: Expected to see more time at power forward

Blazers GM Neil Olshey and coach Terry Stotts have both indicated they expect Aminu to see more action at power forward than small forward next season, Kerry Eggers of the Portland Tribune reports. "We are a much stronger team when Farouq plays 'four'," Olshey said. "Our ratings with Farouq at 'four' make us project to a 53-, 54-win team [next season], whereas Farouq at 'three' has us in the mid-40s."

Analysis:

Olshey may be dramatically overstating the effect Aminu's move to power forward would have on the Blazers' record, but there's reason to believe that he'd thrive in the sort of small-ball lineup that more and more of the league's top teams are embracing in the modern NBA. With the Blazers re-signing swingman Allen Crabbe and bringing aboard wing Evan Turner this offseason -- both on deals worth over $70 million apiece -- it's not expected that free agent Maurice Harkless will be retained, creating a natural void at power forward that Aminu is best equipped to fill of the remaining players on the roster. After hitting a solid 36.1 percent of his three-point attempts in 2015-16, Aminu certainly is capable of spacing the floor, and though slightly undersized at 6-foot-9, he's a sound enough defender to slow down opposing power forwards. From a fantasy standpoint, playing the power forward spot more often would likely enhance Aminu's rebound potential, as he'd likely play closer to the basket on defense and would frequently find himself as the Blazers' second-biggest player on the court.