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Blazers: 5 goals for Nik Stauskas in his lone season with Portland

By Nate Mann

Portland Trail Blazers Nik Stauskas Seth Curry (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
Portland Trail Blazers Nik Stauskas Seth Curry (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – APRIL 11: Nik Stauskas #2 of the Brooklyn Nets smiles during a huddle in 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 smiles during a huddle in 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) /

Outperform Gary Trent Jr.

Stauskas’ primary competition for minutes this season is rookie Gary Trent Jr. Both are 6-foot 6-inch shooting guards who’s calling card is three-point shooting.

As it’s the focal point of each player’s offense, whoever shoots better from outside will probably receive more minutes. Stauskas should get the first attempt at earning a spot in the rotation, but Trent Jr. will still sneak in a few minutes to prove why he can run with the pros.

Since declaring for the draft following his second college season, Stauskas hasn’t lived up to the lofty perimeter shooting expectations placed on him.

  • 2012-2013 (freshman at Michigan): 46.3% from the field and 44.0% from three
  • 2013-2014 (sophomore): 47.0% from the field and 44.2% from three
  • 2014-2015 (rookie): 36.5% from the field and 32.2% from three
  • 2015-2016: 38.5% from the field and 32.6% from three
  • 2016-2017: 39.6 from the field and 36.8% from three
  • 2017-2018: 39.0% from the field and 40.0% from three

His percentages improved each year, but his attempts and games played decreased. Last season, Stauskas only shot 2.4 threes per game, his lowest since being a rookie.

If his outside shooting isn’t significantly better than Trent Jr.’s, than other aspects of his game, like shot creation and defensive awareness, must improve to convince Terry Stotts that he deserves a spot in the rotation.