The Portland Trail Blazers traded for Vit Krejci eight months ago in the hopes he would help address the roster’s poor shooting woes. Unfortunately, he misplaced his accuracy in Portland, hitting roughly 30 percent from three on 4.7 attempts, leading to a mere 16 minutes and zero three point makes during the Blazers playoff run.
The Blazers weren’t dissuaded as they partially guaranteed his contract in August. Unless something unexpected happens, his contract becomes fully guaranteed on opening night.
As soon as Shaedon Sharpe tore his meniscus, Krejci became a little more important, earning an increased chance at a more prominent rotation role.
Right now, the 26-year-old Czech is fighting with Branden Carlson for the rights to the title of 10th man, but if things don’t go to plan, I can very easily see Krejci falling out of the rotation. The success of this season for Krejci depends on one factor, three-point accuracy.
When he’s on the court, Krejci will get opportunities from beyond the arc. But unlike his late season 19-game stretch with the Blazers, he probably won’t get as much leeway. Krejci has had a full offseason to acclimate to the Blazers with many calling his subpar performance an aberration.
But that aberration will become the norm if he doesn’t turn things around on a team pleading for three-point shooters.
Krejci is still theoretically one of this team’s best long-range shooters, but that theory needs to return to practice. It definitely needs to be better than the 7.2 points on 30.3 percent from three and 40.3 percent from the field, he registered with the Blazers late last season.
In the preceeding two and a half seasons, Krejci comfortably shot more than 40 percent from three for the Atlanta Hawks, never falling below the 91st percentile among wings.
During his brief Blazers stint, he was in the 11th percentile.
History dictates that he should return closer to the 91st percentile but how much closer is anyone’s guess. One thing’s for sure, he’s not playable on this team unless he’s hitting threes. While Krejci is capable of putting the ball on the floor and has a little bit of playmaking, they are not traits that get him court time. If he can register an assist or two it will be a plus but it’s not essential given the playmaking ability owned by a some of his teammates.
This team has a multitude of guys who need the ball, Krejci doesn’t, that’s how he can serve this team. Get to his spots, catch the ball and be as accurate as he has been before.
On defense and despite his 6’8 height, Krejci is a wing who should only be put in positions to negate guards and wings, given the roughly 200lbs he’s carrying around and his average defensive instincts. He’s not a bad defender but he’s not a great one either.
What if he continues to struggle?
This is where things get a little dire for Krejci. He’s contracted to the Blazers for this season and next. As mentioned, this season’s money becomes fully guaranteed on opening night later this month. But the $3 million he’s slated to earn in 2027-28 is not guaranteed and won’t be until opening night, 12 months from now.
For next season and any season beyond that, shooting will be his key to the court. My concern is that if he doesn’t grab hold of his opportunity this season, options start to dry up. Right now Krejci’s reputation as a three-point shooter will earn him minutes.
The longer he goes without hitting shots at an above-average rate, that reputation transitions from being a three-point specialist, into streaky shooter, then into end-of-the-bench wing who hits a three every now and then.
Whether the recent slump is due to confidence, a change of scenery or a hitch in his technique, it remains to be seen. But the Blazers need the Czech star to be shooting with the same accuracy that launched his initial sharpshooting reputation.
If the issue is confidence related, you don’t want to exacerbate the issue by adding pressure. I can only speculate but the reason Krejci was so effective was because he had the freedom to take shots with a decent level of freedom. Krejci and the Blazers should do all they can not to chip away at that.
Conclusion
I was a big fan of the Blazers securing Krejci at the deadline. Even with the subpar play late in the season, I’m still a big fan of the acquisition. But this season will be crucial in Krejci re-establishing his lofty reputation as one of the best shooters in the league.
I want the 19 games spent with the Blazers to be an aberration, a blip on the radar, because this team needs an accurate Vit Krejci if it’s going to do any damage this season. They’re definitely going to need him if they make the NBA Playoffs, not only to hit three pointers but to spread the floor for the likes of Deni Avdija, Damian Lillard, Ja Morant and Scoot Henderson.
If Krejci does turn things around, he’s the type of player that sticks in this league for a decade. If he doesn’t, he could be playing outside the US within a couple of years. Krejci has complete control of his career by executing one skill really well, helping both himself and the Blazers.
Where do you stand with Vit Krejci? Will he bounce back and give the Blazers a much needed boost in the shooting department?
