Rip City Project
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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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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 20: Nik Stauskas #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks to pass against Allen Crabbe #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on January 20, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Corey Perrine/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JANUARY 20: Nik Stauskas #11 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks to pass against Allen Crabbe #23 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on January 20, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 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 Corey Perrine/Getty Images) /

Pat Connaughton comparison

Along with outplaying Trent Jr. for rotation minutes, Stauskas needs to prove that he was an upgrade on Pat Connaughton. Connaughton will live in Blazers fans’ hearts forever, but Stauskas recovering his college three-point shooting will encourage supporters to accept the summer swap.

In order to win over Rip City’s fandom, Stauskas’ three-point percentage must stay where it was at last year while at a higher volume. Neil Olshey focused on acquiring players who can spread the floor better, meaning he expects Stauskas to outshoot Connaughton.

Both players had limited attempts from beyond the arc in 2017-2018, but the new signing outperformed the old.

On catch-and-shoot threes, each athlete’s most frequent shot type, Stauskas converted on 8.2% more. He also shot threes 17.1% better than Connaughton when no defender was within six feet.

To force defenders to stay on the perimeter, Portland needs players who can reliably capitalize on open attempts like Stauskas did on a small sample last year.

Next. 5 goals for Jake Layman in his contract season. dark

After struggling to fit in on any of his past three teams, Portland presents Stauskas a great opportunity to positively contribute.

Stotts should give him a chance to mesh with the bench unit before trying out Trent Jr., but to keep those original minutes, Stauskas needs to develop his game on both sides of the ball. If he doesn’t, the guard could be suiting up with his fifth team in six years next summer.