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Blazers agree to deal with SG Nik Stauskas. What ‘Sauce Castillo’ means for Rip City …

By Matt George Moore

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 11: Nik Stauskas #2 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 11: Nik Stauskas #2 of the Brooklyn Nets looks on during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on April 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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The Blazers welcome guard Nik Stauskas to Rip City. Here’s what you need to know about the man they call ‘Sauce Castillo.’ Wait, what?

As the Portland Trail Blazers’ fan base comes to terms with the loss of Ed Davis, the team itself has come to terms with shooting guard Nik Stauskas. (Well, they will when the league’s free agent moratorium ends on July 6, anyway.)

Another guard, you say, eh?

Yes, another guard.

The “Sauce Castillo” himself.

What does it all mean?

Michigan

Stauskas, a 6-foot-6 baller out of the University of Michigan, has had an up-and-down NBA career.

More down than up, if we’re being brutally honest.

Stauskas played two season at Michigan averaging 14.1 points, 2.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game. He shot 46.7 from the field, 44.1 percent from three and 83.2 percent from the free throw line for the Wolverines. He was the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2013-2014.

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NBA

The Sacramento Kings drafted Stauskas with the eighth overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. (That was the same draft that produced Noah Vonleh, Jusuf Nurkic and Shabazz Napier, by the way.)

Since entering the Association, he’s averaged 7.0 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists. His shooting percentages have also dipped in the big leagues: 38.6 from the field overall; 34.9 percent from three; and 80.1 percent from the free throw line.

The Kings traded Stauskas to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2015. His best season was in 2016-2017, when he played in 80 games (starting 27) and averaged 9.5 points per game.

Stauskas last played for Brooklyn, which chose not to tender him a qualifying offer after the 2017-2018 season.

Blazers

The Blazers have already let Pat Connaughton and Shabazz Napier leave for free agency. That means the guard lineup now includes Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Wade Baldwin and new players Anfernee Simons and Gary Trent Jr.

The addition of Stauskas and the bon voyage to Ed Davis indicates that the Blazers know which way the wind is blowing in the modern NBA — away from big men near the post and toward the perimeter with guards.

Next: Why trading for Gary Trent Jr. doesn’t make sense

I’m not sure how much the addition of Stauskas helps the Blazers. We’ll have to wait and see what Blazers President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey says about the deal. At least then we’ll have an idea of what the franchise is thinking as it builds a lineup for the 2018-2019 season.

One thing is certain: The Blazers are going to look pretty different — especially the squad that comes off the bench.

‘Sauce Castillo’

A few final words about that bizarre nickname.

Turns out, it was a glitch in the Matrix: A closed-captioned broadcast of a Sixers-Kings tilt had Stauskas mentioned as “Sauce Castillo.”

Let’s hope Stauskas brings the sauce to Portland.

Heaven knows we need all the help we can get.