The 2022 offseason is nearly over for the Portland Trail Blazers. Soon, training camp will begin, followed by the first preseason game (October 3 in Seattle) in which fans will get their first look at Jerami Grant, Gary Payton II, Shaedon Sharpe, and Jabari Walker. With Portland’s transactions seeming to be completed, let’s look at how they faired with each of their 2022 offseason transactions.
Seventh pick in the draft, Shaedon Sharpe
The drafting of Shaedon Sharpe, especially at seventh, was a bit of a head scratcher in a couple of ways. Leading up to the draft itself, there were reports the Blazers were looking at trading the pick for more experienced veteran help. However, they instead drafted the Kentucky shooting guard.
The selection Sharpe earns a C grade. Why so harsh? Sharpe is a bit of an unknown. He did not play a single game for the Wildcats. The last time Sharpe played prior to Summer League was his last year of high school in 2021. There were more proven players available for Portland’s taking, such as Memphis center Jalen Duren, who was selected at 13th. Did the Blazers really need another shooting guard to develop? Plus, his injury at Summer League didn’t help matters either.
Second round draft pick, Jabari Walker
With the second-to-last pick in the draft, the Blazers took Colorado power forward Jabari Walker. Some are calling Walker, whose dad Samaki played in the NBA for ten seasons, the “steal of the draft.”
He averaged 12.4 points and 9.0 rebounds in the NBA Summer League. From what Walker showed he could do in Las Vegas, this earns an A. However, with Grant, Justise Winslow, Greg Brown III, and Trendon Watford already at that position, playing time for Walker could be limited. I would like to see Walker take Brown III and Watford’s minutes eventually.