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Portland Trail Blazers: Gary Trent Jr should start, Melo can come off bench

Stevie Cozens|
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 23: Gary Trent Jr. #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles with the ball in the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons during their game at Moda Center on February 23, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - FEBRUARY 23: Gary Trent Jr. #2 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles with the ball in the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons during their game at Moda Center on February 23, 2020 in Portland, Oregon. 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 Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

The Portland Trail Blazers aren’t far away from their first regular-season game. In urgent need of defense, Gary Trent Jr should start over Carmelo Anthony.

The Portland Trail Blazers are very short on the wing, especially when looking at defensive personnel. Gary Trent Jr is the only plus defensive piece they have from positions one through three. Even though Trent is more a two than a three, his strength, IQ, and quickness combined with the lack of options at that position mean he is the best option to fill in for the missing Trevor Ariza.

The other reason that Trent should start is so Carmelo Anthony can strengthen the shot creation off the bench. Melo can still get his own shot, and although McCollum will likely play some minutes with the bench unit, they still need more shot creation.

Anfernee Simons is still developing as a creator for himself and others, and with recently signed point guard Jaylen Adams, a relative unknown in terms of his role on this team, Melo’s shot creation is vital.

With Jusuf Nurkic apparently going to start at power forward with Hassan Whiteside at center, they are one strong defender short in the starting lineup. A frontcourt of Whiteside, Nurkic, and Melo would be a disaster when we think about the perimeter-oriented game these days. A real lack of speed in this lineup would be a problem when defending the three or preventing penetration.

Trent doesn’t have the size of some threes, but his strength and big wingspan, as well as his speed, would be a difference-maker in the starting lineup. Rebounding wouldn’t be as vital for him, as there would be two seven-footers in the starting lineup in Nurkic and Whiteside.

The composition of the second unit could be a little more positionless, where Nassir Little or Mario Hezonja could alternate the forward positions with Melo, depending on the type of lineup that Stotts wants.

The starting three, four, and five do still seem to be up in the air at the moment. The omission of Ariza and the lack of a real starting-caliber small forward to replace him has meant some tough decisions for Stotts. There shouldn’t be a problem with Melo coming off the bench in a decision that would be best for the team.

Stotts still has two scrimmages left to make these calls.