How has Wade Baldwin IV played in Summer League?

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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 08: Trae Young #11 of the Atlanta Hawks drives against Wade Baldwin IV #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. 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 Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Defense

Wade Baldwin’s calling card: defense. We saw a taste of it near the end of last season when he picked up opponents near half court and made their lives difficult all 24 seconds each possession.

The pestering defense picked up right where it left off. In the Summer League preliminary games, Baldwin averaged 2.3 steals including 5 against the San Antonio Spurs.

He’s not exceedingly tall for a point guard at 6’3″. However, his wingspan is a ridiculous 6’10”. This allows him to contest more shots while staying with quicker guards.

Trae Young, a crafty and gifted scorer, failed to register a single point with Baldwin defending him. In this play, we see Young’s visible frustration with Baldwin’s swarming defense.

This is the defense we saw out of Wade Baldwin last season. He starts defending before halfcourt, fights around screens, and uses his length to stay with his man. Trae Young gets visibly frustrated with Baldwin's defense at the end pic.twitter.com/rfsZ7Wb5QB
— Nate Mann (@nate_mann13) July 10, 2018

Baldwin will do well to compensate for Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum‘s defensive deficiencies. He should assume the role of annoying defender off Portland’s bench, a role Shabazz Napier held last season.

Next: Zach Collins not dominating Summer League as hoped

Every player in the Summer League is playing for a roster spot to some extent. Even with everyone trying to elevate their game in front of team representatives, Wade Baldwin has performed noticeably better than his teammates and opponents.

His all-around stats and team leadership will fit in well for a Blazers squad fielding many young guards. And with payroll already over the luxury tax, a proven, inexpensive rotation player is exactly what Portland needs.