​The Trail Blazers continued their offseason pursuit of frontcourt depth on Friday afternoon, adding a nuanced piece to the puzzle ahead of their summer league opener against the Phoenix Suns. Portland claimed former Indiana Pacers big man Micah Potter off waivers, a move that stands out from their previous frontcourt acquisitions. Potter, 28, logged 47 appearances for Indiana in the 2025-26 season after stints with the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz. The Jazz represent the longest stop in Potter’s career since he went undrafted in 2021.
Portland’s interest in Potter is easy to understand when examining his numbers from last season. He stands 6-foot-9 and isn’t typically lauded for elite rebounding, but his greatest asset aligns with one of the Blazers’ most pronounced weaknesses this past year: outside shooting. The addition of a floor-spacer who can knock down threes immediately addresses a critical need for Portland, and Potter is expected to contribute in that regard right away.
Last season with the Pacers, Potter averaged 9.7 points per game while shooting 42.3% from three on 3.6 attempts per night. Among Portland’s rotation players, Potter’s three-point accuracy would have led the way outside of Chris Youngblood, who appeared in only two games for the Blazers. Potent perimeter shooting could be a game-changing upgrade for a roster that has been seeking reliable floor spacing to complement its interior options.
One notable performance that underscored Potter’s potential came on February 24, in a 135-114 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers, when he erupted for a career-high 23 points in 25 minutes. He connected on three of five three-pointers while also contributing two blocks and a steal. After that standout outing, Potter spoke about the impact he can have when he’s on the floor, emphasizing his role as an energy-boosting connector who can create angles for teammates and himself through screening and active communication. “Bring energy. Be a connector on the floor. Use my voice, set physical screens, or teams are starting to switch more often now, so creating angles for my teammates and for myself on screening. Hitting open shots. Making the right play. Playing winning basketball as best as I possibly can,” Potter explained.
Potter now joins a crowded Blazers reserve frontcourt that already features Robert Williams III, Yang Hansen, and recent free-agent addition Branden Carlson behind starter Donovan Clingan. Throughout his career, Potter has been listed as both a center and a forward. Given his size and the roster’s depth at the five, it’s reasonable to wonder how much opportunity he’ll have at the power forward position. “I know the situation we’re in as far as guys being injured and things like that, so roles will change based on different lineups. But when I’m in the game, I try to play winning basketball as best I can, be physical, use my voice, and try to help my teammates and create for my teammates,” he said.
Potter’s path with the Blazers may not lead to instant stardom, but his ability to bring high-energy plays and knock down open triples could prove invaluable. If he can consistently space the floor and contribute defensive efforts around the rim, Portland will have quietly added a versatile, fit-for-purpose piece to its frontcourt. For a team aiming to diversify its frontcourt looks and maximize lineups with shooting gravity, Potter’s arrival offers a pragmatic upgrade that complements Portland’s broader strategic goals this offseason. As the Blazers continue to refine their rotation, Potter’s blend of energy, shooting, and potential versatility could yield meaningful minutes and impact as they evaluate combinations heading into the regular season.