John Hollinger of The Athletic (subscription required) wrote about “hinge” players – those he thinks “…are interesting enough to possibly make a real impact this season but have also shown enough warts that we can’t take this possibility for granted.”
Among the players he profiled was Portland Trail Blazers guard Blake Wesley who was signed to a one-year deal back in July:
Blake Wesley, Trail Blazers As a Wesley believer in the 2023 draft, it was tough to see a lot of his opportunities in San Antonio
go to the demonstrably ineffective Malaki Branham (taken five picks ahead of him). Nonetheless, Wesley didn’t help himself with his offensive exploits (or lack thereof) in his periodic opportunities. Shooting 29.7 percent from 3 is a tough way to build a career. But forget making jump shots: Can we master the layup, please?
However, Wesley can defend, and that is part of Portland’s identity as it tries to make the postseason (we think?) in a crowded Western Conference. The Blazers are also thin in the backcourt, with Scoot Henderson injured and also not exactly locked in as a long-term starter and Damian Lillard out for the season. That could provide a window for Wesley to establish a long-term role after the Washington Wizards unceremoniously bought him out.
There are signs, with his size and lateral quickness on defense allowing him to check either guard spot. But the 22-year-old Wesley has to show some progress offensively, too, where he scored just 15.4 points per 100 possessions last season on 51.0 percent true shooting and sprinkled in far too many turnovers. On a Blazers team desperate for offense, he’ll have to do more.
Wesley may get more opportunity than expected to open the season after guard Scoot Henderson suffered a torn hamstring, an injury that may keep him out for the next few months, but whether Henderson’s absence will be enough to open up spot minutes (or perhaps more) for Wesley remains to be seen.
