When fully healthy, the Portland Trail Blazers have been starting Anfernee Simons, Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija, Jerami Grant, and Deandre Ayton. Since Chauncey Billups decided to bench Shaedon Sharpe, Portland has an impressive record of 10-4.
It's clear that the Blazers have been playing better basketball lately, and Billups likely has no reason to change that lineup after the break. The only exception is the center spot, with Deandre Ayton set to be re-evaluated in four weeks after suffering a left calf strain.
1. Donovan Clingan
Clingan has played well in Ayton's one-and-a-half-game absence. He'll have a golden opportunity to pick up where he left off once the Blazers return from All-Star break on Feb. 20. It's a matter of if, not when, Clingan takes over the starting center spot full-time.
There's no question that Clingan is impactful on the court, but is he ready to take on 30-plus minutes a night on a consistent basis?
Ayton's contract is up after next season. But if Clingan can prove his conditioning level is already high enough to take on starting-level minutes, the Blazers may be more inclined to move Ayton in the summer to clear the path for the UConn big man.
2. Robert Williams III
The Blazers clearly value Robert Williams III highly after not moving him at the deadline despite having a market around the league. If Ayton is out of the picture this summer, you have to imagine they plan on having an elite defensive duo between Clingan and Williams.
Both offer elite rim protection on the defensive end, but Williams provides another dimension than Clingan on offense as a lob threat. Ultimately, next year's starting center spot could come down to who meshes better with the Blazers' young guards on the offensive end.
3. Scoot Henderson
Scoot Henderson's breakout has been a bright spot in the Blazers' up-and-down season. He's playing more in control and has significantly improved as a shooter (36.5% from three) and decision-maker both in terms of better shot selection and limiting turnovers.
While the Blazers deserve some credit for his growth, his development is also happening despite their reluctance to make him a priority. Last summer, the goal was to trade away one of Anfernee Simons or Jerami Grant before training camp. Given how well Scoot has played this year, they need to revisit that goal with more urgency this offseason to clear a starting role for him.
Henderson just needs to maintain the level of play he showed before the break, and a starting spot next season should be his.
4. Shaedon Sharpe
Of the Blazers' three most recent top-ten picks, Shaedon Sharpe is surprisingly struggling the most as of late. Even with Grant and Henderson sidelined with injuries, Billups elected to start Kris Murray over Sharpe.
He's averaging over five fewer minutes a game coming off the bench, but Sharpe still needs to make the most of his opportunities to prove that he should be the Blazers' starting shooting guard next season. Some areas of improvement include his three-point shot and on-ball defense.
Sharpe needs to get out of Billups' doghouse. But he also may be the Blazers player who will benefit the most from a potential coaching change next season. Billups' coaching style doesn't always highlight Sharpe's strengths, and a different approach might better unlock his All-Star potential.