Steals per game – Robert Covington
There are very few players who make defensive plays like forward Robert Covington. He is one of the premium defensive help players in the NBA. With some of the best instincts in the game off the ball, Covington is a guy who could lead a team in both steals and blocks.
As the Blazers fourth-best player ahead of the 2021 season, he will likely play the third-most minutes behind Lillard and McCollum. This will mean he can imprint heavily on the stat sheet.
Covington can guard multiple positions, make timely switches, or double teams will mean that he will amass many steals on this Blazers team for the 2021 season.
Trent Jr. and Jones Jr. will be able to stop the ball and have players pick up their dribble, leaving time for Covington to jump a passing lane or strip an unsuspecting opponent.
Covington is the Blazers’ best defender now. He is the only player on the team with an All-Defensive team to his name and the first player in several years for the Blazers to be on one of these teams before or during a stint in Portland.
With a likely minutes total of 31 – 34 minutes, Covington may be able to amass a career-high in steals. His previous best is 1.9 steals.