Rip City Project
Fansided

Blazers Life Without Superstar Damian Lillard

By Ty Delbridge

Oct 7, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) dances with Trail Blazers
Oct 7, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) dances with Trail Blazers /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
Oct 7, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Shabazz Napier (6) brings the ball up-court against Phoenix Suns guard Tyler Ulis (8) in the first half at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Shabazz Napier (6).Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Shabazz Napier: Tradable?

The third year guard out of UConn is on his third consecutive team. He was the 24th pick in the 2014 NBA draft after leading his UConn Huskies team to the National Championship. Napier is young and when he gets the chance to play it’s often in blowout games. A lot of teams in the NBA lack a backup play making guard or even a backup that can shoot.

But in the last 4 games, his playing time has increased.. His recent stats aren’t eye popping ( 6.8 PPG, 1.0 RPG,0.8 APG), but his per-36 stats are: 18.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 2.1 APG, and 2.1 SPG.  Teams that are weak at point guard should think about acquiring the young guard.

I know it’s not likely because the Blazers have Lillard, McCollum and Evan Turner, but I would like to see Napier play more. He’s been a nice spark off the bench and I’d like to see him more. If not, Napier could be clutch in a trade package if the Blazers end up making some type of move.