While all eyes were fixated on Anfernee Simons and Zach Collins to have breakout years, Skal Labissiere quietly made the most surprising leap of any member of Portland’s young core. After the Trail Blazers’ frontcourt succumbed to multiple injuries, Skal finally had his opportunity to step up and present his talents on the big stage.
Labissiere has a sweet shooting stroke in the pick-and-pop game, which perfectly complements Portland’s offense that emphasizes setting screens and allowing the star guards to create good looks. Skal easily has the best mid-range jump shot of any big man on the team.
Not only that, Skal has been an animal on the offensive glass, reeling in two per game on average despite limited play time. In fact, Labissiere ranks 13th in the NBA in regards to offensive rebound percentage. That puts him ahead of other notable big men like Joel Embiid, Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns.
In the final year of his rookie scale contract, Skal has really thrived while given the most minutes of his career. He plays a team-friendly version of basketball where he can help push the Blazers to wins even without his hands on the ball.
Unfortunately, center is the most replaceable position in basketball and Labissiere will be looking to sign his first sizable contract of his career over the summer. If the Blazers feel he will be out of their price range (or wish to pursue a different route altogether) it makes more sense to deal Labissiere’s restricted rights to the highest bidder.