Option 3: Shabazz Napier
I couldn’t write this article without including former Blazer Shabazz Napier
I toyed with a few other options. Reggie Jackson is a little more experienced, but probably a bit too expensive. DJ Augustin is another I like, but struggles a lot more than others on the defensive end.
I landed on Napier. In his two years in Portland, Shabazz averaged 6.8 points, just under a couple of rebounds and assists, and shot 37 percent from beyond the arc. Napier’s role was pretty limited in his time here, playing around 16 minutes per game over his two seasons. Still, he had some great moments, and definitely left on good terms.
Fast forward a few years, and Napier is flourishing. He’s on his second team of the season, after being traded from the Timberwolves to the Wizards in February, but his play on both teams has been impressive. Napier has chipped in 10.3 points and 5 assists for the Wolves/Wizards this season, playing around 24 minutes a game.
His defense has improved in Washington too. Despite standing at just six-foot-one, he had 1.7 steals per game, and when Napier is on the floor, Washington’s opponents offensive rating goes down, and turnover rate goes up.
The Wizards have been impressed by Napier, and talk of him being brought back has already started. With the Wizards most likely offloading a quite a bit of money, they could afford to bring back Napier, but if they don’t, the Blazers should be all over this.
A reunion with Shabazz would not only appease the nostalgic side of Blazer fans, but he’d be a shrewd addition to what will already be a deep bench.