The Portland Trail Blazers returned to the NBA Playoffs this season, exiting in the first round with a heck of a lot of question marks. They were bested by a superior San Antonio Spurs roster, which was able to return multiple blows every time the Blazers landed a punch.
Blazers Head Coach Tiago Splitter admirably led this team under trying circumstances through the season and postseason. But there was one stance he took during the playoffs that left me slightly puzzled, that is, the 13.4 minutes
per game granted to shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe.
Sharpe had an interesting campaign after signing a four-year, $90 million extension on the eve of the 2025-26 season. The deal was considered fair for both parties with the guard’s still-not-completely-tapped potential remaining a tantalizing prospect.
I have been one of Sharpe’s biggest supporters since he was taken with the seventh pick in 2022. But he is by no means a perfect player.
Sharpe’s Achilles heel has always been his defense, which truly is a mystery given his size and athleticism. The wing stands 6’6, boasting a near-7-foot wingspan. He sits among the most athletic, bouncy players in the league. On paper, he should be, at the very least, an above-average defender, but somehow he’s defied that expectation. He was benched by Chauncey Billups for his subpar defense last year and while he initially returned to the court with improved enthusiasm on that end initially, it didn’t last.
Sharpe’s natural offensive prowess has never been disputed. The moments where he’s knocking down threes, creating his own shot in the midrange, and executing jaw-dropping attacks at the rim suggest he has the ability to perform at an All-Star level.
His ability to contribute to positive play was highlighted by his and Deni Avdija’s efforts in keeping the team afloat through the early season when the roster was without a recognizable point guard. Without too much exertion he was able to put up 20.8 points a night on decent field foal efficiency and 30.5 percent usage.
Unfortunately, Sharpe fell to a stress reaction in his left fibula in late February, keeping him out until the penultimate game of the regular season. By the time the playoffs arrived, Sharpe was still trying to get back into the swing of things. The rough transition no doubt impacted his consistency in the postseason.
Playoffs
For someone who should have been desperate to regain his starting status, Sharpe was average on the offensive end and poor on defense against San Antonio. The latter was perfectly illustrated by the much-replayed clip of Coach Tiago Splitter calling on him to move into position to prevent a clear Victor Wembanyama run at the rim. Sharpe subsequently missed the assignment and looked pretty silly when the big Frenchman finished with force.
I’m reluctant to criticize Splitter too much because I applaud the job he’s done. But for a team struggling to put points on the board, Sharpe probably didn’t get enough time on the court to feel comfortable after the long lay off.
I’m not making excuses, but for someone who has only just returned to the court, the increase in intensity of playoff basketball could very well have overwhelmed the young Canadian. Whether we like it or not, Sharpe is a confidence player and needs to be given a chance to work his way into games. I’m not suggesting he should have started but he could have been given a little more time on a team desperate for creation and scoring.
But I also understand Splitter’s reservations about Sharpe’s defensive commitment. Sharpe was bad on that end. We know from the prime Damian Lillard years, playoff basketball doesn’t forgive sloppy or lackadaisical defense. It punishes it. If you’re not scoring you better by stopping the team going the other way.
Trade?
The roster is in an interesting position this summer. With Lillard returning to the fold, the Blazers will field one guard with offensive ability but fairly ordinary defense. While helpful, Sharpe’s offensive impact is no way good enough to compensate for his own defense, let alone someone else’s.
Sharpe needs to become a two-way player for two reasons. One, he has the physical tools to do it and two, this team has built an identity as a defensive unit.
Having said that, I’m still irrationally optimistic about Sharpe but it’s up to him whether he wants it or not.
If the Blazers decide to trade Sharpe, they’re not doing it to just cut bait. Sharpe is weeks away from his 23rd birthday and has shown enough to prove he belong in this league. My gut tells me that if he is moved, it’ll be part of a bigger deal to bring back a star.
I seriously doubt that he has enough value to be the main piece in a deal unless another team believes in the promise he’s shown. The only way he’s a centrepiece is if the return is a low first round pick and filler.
Conclusion
I still have more confidence in Sharpe than most. But the only way he stays on the court long enough to get into any offensive rhythm is by not being a liability on defense. I have no issues with the size of his deal, especially if he returns to the form he showed during the regular season.
The problem the Blazers face in trading him is that people have short memories and unfortunately, the basketball he played through the playoffs was ugly. The context around the fact that he hadn’t played in almost two months will quickly be forgotten.
It doesn’t excuse the poor play but it’s a factor going into an offseason where the Blazers may look to be more active than usual. While I think he’s good enough to continue on with the Blazers, the size of his deal, his age and still-enticing potential make him primed to be included in a trade.
If he is with the team next year, I don’t doubt he’ll continue to expand his skillset, hopefully prioritizing defense. But whether he reaches the ceiling we’re all hoping for remains an unknown.
If he is moved, he won’t be the headline and he won’t simply be salary ballast. He’ll be attached to draft picks to bring something of real note back. The team receiving him will most likely see him as the interesting young player, secondary to the pick or picks received.
The only way Sharpe maximizes that ceiling is by improving his defense and staying healthy. As of now, there’s probably a 50-50 chance he’s in Portland next season but the only way he moves is if the Blazers are getting real value in return.
