After news has surfaced that both Wesley Matthews and Arron Afflalo are leaving town, the Trail Blazers have no choice but to look forward to the future. Matthews signed a four-year deal with the Dallas Mavericks, while Afflalo went to New York to join the Knicks on a two-year deal. So now the question that becomes ‘who will pick up the slack and become the team’s new featured shooting guard?’
The good news is that the Trail Blazers have some options. Even though losing both Matthews and Afflalo is a tough blow to the team, they are in position to give an opportunity to other players that are ready to showcase their skills in an increased role.
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C.J. McCollum is the most intriguing option of the shooting guards on the roster. In his second year with the Trail Blazers last season, McCollum averaged nearly seven points per game, as well as an assist and rebound, in a backup combo guard role. He was buried in the depth chart behind guys like Matthews, Steve Blake, and eventually Afflalo.
However, heading into the team’s opening playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies, McCollum was asked to step up in a big way. After Matthews was ruled out for the season in March, and following Afflalo’s shoulder injury that kept him out for the final few games of the regular season (as well as the first couple games in the playoffs), McCollum became Portland’s primary shooting guard.
He averaged a stellar 17.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and just over two 3-point field goals per game in the series. He finally showed signs of his immense potential in the league, and it came in starter’s minutes when every possession counts; the playoffs.
Another possible option for the shooting guard spot is newly acquired G/F Gerald Henderson. While Henderson may be able to fit at small forward in the absence of Nicolas Batum, the Trail Blazers could decide to go with a more traditional starting lineup. Henderson would be a little undersized for the 3, and is more accustomed to playing the 2.
Henderson averaged a respectable 12.1 points per game last season as the Charlotte Hornets’ starting shooting guard, chipping in 2.6 assists and 3.4 rebounds as well. Though he occupied a shooting guard role for much of last season, taking over as the starting small forward in Portland is not entirely out of the question, unless they feel their recent signing of forward Al-Farouq Aminu is a better fit alongside Lillard and company. In that case, Henderson would find himself as the starting 2-guard or in a possible sixth man role if the Trail Blazers go with McCollum as the starter.
Apr 7, 2015; Miami, FL, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Gerald Henderson (9) dribbles the ball as Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade (3) defends in the first half at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
Henderson is a very strong athlete with a smooth and well-developed mid-range jumper. One of his main specialties is his perimeter defense, which could be of great help to a team that has just lost a great defender in Batum. He will come in and bring a lot to a team desperate for wing players, adding to their athleticism and filling a big hole on the perimeter.
On the other hand, McCollum would bring the most to the lineup out of any current guard, as he is a very dynamic player. He can knock down the three ball or mid-range jumper to spread out the defense, and can drive the lane and either kick out or finish at the rim if needed. He has experience as a point guard in college, where he was also his team’s best player, giving him the experience needed as a ball handler to make plays. The Trail Blazers may elect to pair him with Lillard as a floor spacer and secondary ball handler.
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It would surprise me to see the Trail Blazers look elsewhere for their open shooting guard position, as they drafted McCollum with hopes that he could become an mainstay for them. This year might be the year for that; especially given what he was able to do in the playoffs this past year. Whether he’s promoted to a starter or made a sixth man, he will need to play a big role for the team this season.
I think the projected starting lineup for next season would go something like Lillard, McCollum, Henderson, Ed Davis, and Mason Plumlee. Other guys in contention to start would include Aminu, Dorell Wright (if re-signed), Meyers Leonard, or even veteran Chris Kaman. Aminu has the best chance of entering the lineup, as he has been strongly coveted by President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey ever since Olshey drafted him to the Los Angeles Clippers back in 2010.
This potential lineup gives the Trail Blazers great versatility and allows them to play a little bit more small ball. Lillard and McCollum have proven they can play well together, and the front line looks solid with both Davis and Plumlee stepping into potential starting roles, whether it be alongside Henderson or Aminu. This team might not possess the star power or talent that last year’s team had, but they have done a good job attempting to replace what they lost and form a nice lineup heading into next season and the season’s to come.
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