Although the Portland Trail Blazers won just 36 games, overall, it was a successful season. They accomplished several goals, most notably player development and roster clarity. That came at the perfect time as general manager Joe Cronin will have more information to navigate a challenging offseason that is pivotal for their rebuild.
Portland is entering the next phase and can now look to make that jump to becoming a playoff contender. But they must do it the right way, making sure not to sacrifice their future at the expense of a shortsighted goal. The Blazers need to build a contending roster that is both legitimate and sustainable. That's easier said than done, but keeping these three players around will certainly help ensure they are positioned for success in the coming seasons.
Of course, this is under the assumption that there's not another general manager as bad as Nico Harrison, and the Blazers won't get an out-of-nowhere offer for a generational superstar entering his prime coming off an NBA Finals appearance.
1. Deni Avdija
At the top of the untouchables list is rising star Deni Avdija. Internal development was a factor in Portland's surprising season, but the addition of Avdija was the biggest reason behind their improved play.
He instantly filled several needs for the Blazers, who haven't had this type of do-it-all wing since Nicolas Batum. But Avdija flipped a midseason switch, going from the Blazers' glue guy to their go-to option, surpassing Anfernee Simons as their best player.
Avdija has a unique skill set for someone who is 6-foot-9, and the fact that he's capable of doing things few in the league can replicate suggests he has All-Star potential. The Blazers would be foolish to give that up after stealing him from the Wizards just last summer, especially since his age and contract set them up well for years to come.
Luckily, the number of assets the Blazers gave up to acquire Avdija in the first place suggests that they intend to keep him in Rip City for the long haul.
2. Toumani Camara
Besides Avdija, another player the Blazers stole in a trade was Toumani Camara. These two players made Cronin's case for an extension much stronger (whether it was in Portland's best interest remains to be seen).
Camara wasn't just a throw-in for the Deandre Ayton-Jusuf Nurkic swap; he was easily the best player. That wasn't apparent at the time, but it is now after Camara's second-season breakout.
What makes Camara an elite role player (and a fan favorite) is that he's willing to do the dirty work, whether it's leading the league in drawn charges by a wide margin or harassing the opposing team's best player for the entire length of the court.
He's already an All-Defense level player, but the most impressive aspect of Camara's growth comes on the offensive end. He's developed into a surprisingly reliable 3-and-D piece, shooting 37.5 percent from deep this season. There's also an upside for more as he continues to improve off the dribble.
Camara is the ideal player archetype of a fourth or fifth-best player on a contending team, and that's precisely why the Blazers must make him off-limits.
3. Shaedon Sharpe
The versatile wing duo of Avdija and Camara should be the Blazers' building blocks going forward, but one rising talent we will include in that group is Shaedon Sharpe. Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan are honorable mentions, but neither possesses the same enormous upside as Portland's high-flyer.
If Avdija isn't the Blazers' much-needed All-Star solution, out of everyone else on their roster, odds are it's Sharpe. That's why it's frustrating when Chauncey Billups decides to bring him off the bench or limit his role -- Portland's ceiling hinges on finding someone who can put them over the top to compete with the elite teams in the Western Conference.
Sharpe's third season was filled with ups and downs, but overall, it was his most productive year yet. He averaged 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists on 45/31/79 shooting splits at just 21 years old. If Sharpe can improve his defense and three-point shot, the sky's the limit.
The Blazers may be tempted to add a bona fide All-Star this summer to return to playoff relevance. But if I'm the team on the other end of that deal, I'm asking for Sharpe in return. If that is the case, Portland shouldn't give in -- giving up a potential All-Star just to accelerate a timeline that isn't fully ready would be a setback in their rebuild.