The Portland Trail Blazers recently waived Rayan Rupert to clear a spot on their 15-man roster for Sidy Cissoko, who they converted from a two-way contract to a standard one. They must soon decide what to do with their other two-way signing, Caleb Love, who is approaching his 50-game limit.
Love has been one of the most surprising rookies this season, going from being undrafted to keeping an injured Blazers roster afloat. Given his immediate impact as a shot creator, he's making a compelling case to follow Cissoko's path.
However, this recent 124-121 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves highlighted why that decision isn't as clear-cut as some may think.
Portland's role players are proving their worth at the worst possible time for Caleb Love
The Blazers already had to make a difficult choice moving on from Rupert, pulling the plug early on a young, high-upside player they always knew would be a multi-year project. Rupert and Duop Reath were the two most logical players to be moved, and they are both elsewhere, with the former included in the trade-deadline acquisition of Vit Krejci. There's no one else who stands out as someone the Blazers should move on from.
Veteran Matisse Thybulle was one candidate, but he is already showcasing his two-way impact after finally returning from injury. Kris Murray is only a few years removed from being a first-round investment. The two combined for 26 points against Minnesota, which doesn't even do justice to their impact as two versatile, defensive-minded wings.
Blake Wesley was a DNP - coach's decision, which could hint that he'd be the odd man out if the Blazers were to make another roster change. But Thybulle, Murray, and Wesley are all key components to the defensive identity Portland has attempted to establish this season -- a plan that has largely been derailed by multiple injuries.
Love was a tremendous success story in Portland and even emerged as a fan favorite. He has some Dalano Banton in him in terms of being a high-volume, score-first role player that can flip the script of a game. But for the same reasons Portland moved on from Banton this summer, the Blazers may be better off simply doing nothing regarding Love's eligibility.
At full strength, Portland doesn't need Love to be a primary offensive initiator. His role isn't as scalable as Cissoko's, making his fit going forward a lot less clear.
You can point out flaws in the other candidates to be waived. Thybulle's injury history and expiring contract are legitimate concerns. Murray and Wesley are both offensive liabilities with unreliable three-point shots. That said, they all fit general manager Joe Cronin's vision for the final product of this Blazers roster better than Love does.
As entertaining as the Arizona Wildcat guard has been this season, he's already served his purpose.