NBA News: Ex-Clipper Has Work Cut Out After Getting Blazers Training Camp Invite

The Portland Trail Blazers know they need to toughen up their frontcourt, and a proven veteran could be the solution.

If he pans up to expectations, Patrick Patterson could be suiting up for the Blazers this 2021-22 NBA season.

According to sources cited by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the 11-year-veteran was invited to join the Blazers' training camp.

It should be noted that this is purely a training camp deal. Hence, Patterson is still no certainty of being an official member of the Trail Blazers. It all depends on how he performs.

Patterson spent the last two NBA seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers. He averaged five points and 2.3 rebounds in 14 minutes of action.

The numbers may not be much although the role of Patterson is more of a reliever. Aside from providing toughness in defense, he also owns a decent three-point shot.

Moreover, the 32-year-old out of Washington owns a career 36.9% from beyond the arc.

Throughout his career, Patterson’s best season was during the 2012-13 wars with the Houston Rockets. He normed 11.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists while getting 25.9 minutes of action in 47 games.

But since then, his numbers have been on a decline.

The numbers may not be that impressive on paper, but it is clear that he is being given a chance to add toughness to the Portland roster.

His experience on the court could be telling–especially for a team sorely lacking in veteran presence.

It remains to be seen if his 11-years in the NBA would be enough to get into the Trail Blazers roster. That all boils down to how head coach Chauncey Billups sees him as a good fit.

Also, Patterson will be in for some competition. Portland is also giving other veterans a look.

Michael Beasley, Isaac Hartenstein and James Ennis are other players being considered. This hints that the Trail Blazers training camp will be something to watch as these vets try to snag a roster spot.

Of those names, Ennis has been linked to the Los Angeles Lakers. In a previous post, it was mentioned how the 31-year-old former player of the Orlando Magic is being considered for the club’s open roster spot.