Shaedon Sharpe shot 44% from beyond the arc in the month of December. As a career 33% three-point shooter, that level of efficiency was bound to regress in 2026. Unfortunately, the Portland Trail Blazers are already seeing that to be the case, as Sharpe is shooting 16.7% from deep in his past two games.
The most recent occasion came against the San Antonio Spurs, a game the Blazers overcame despite being on the road and Sharpe's struggles. Of course, it likely would've been a different story had superstar Victor Wembanyama (knee) suited up, but we'll still take it.
The Blazers' high-flyer finished with just six points, three rebounds, and three assists while shooting an inefficient 3-of-16 from the field, failing to get to the line and missing all four of his three-point attempts.
With Wembanyama's absence, this game appeared to be perfect for Sharpe's style of play, as San Antonio had to rely on Luke Kornet for rim protection. Kornet stepped up in that increased role with 23 points, eight rebounds, and five blocks, so some credit needs to be given to San Antonio's defense for containing Sharpe. Still, this is a concerning development pertaining to Sharpe's game.
Shaedon Sharpe's upside is tied to an inconsistent three-point shot
He's still worth the four-year, $90 million extension given the tantalizing star upside, but it's going to be that much more challenging to reach that ceiling if he doesn't become a reliable three-level scorer.
Sharpe has improved defensively and is actually an underrated playmaker, but the reality is that his value is primarily tied to his ability to score. Given the analytical importance of the three-ball in the modern NBA, it's essential for Sharpe to improve his three-point shot, which has now hovered around 33% for four consecutive seasons.
December was an incredibly promising month for his development, but if Sharpe reverts to his old ways, the Blazers must reconsider his role on this roster. His 31.4% usage rate is the highest on the team, even ahead of future All-Star Deni Avdija (28.2%). The Blazers have no choice but to use Sharpe as a co-star alongside Avdija, given the current roster injuries, but that's not an optimal role unless he proves to be a better shooter.
This month will be crucial for both Sharpe and the Blazers. With the Feb 5 trade deadline now a month away and both Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday expected to return before then, the Blazers will no longer be forced to rely on Sharpe to the extent they currently are.
That doesn't necessarily mean they should trade him, but it does put his long-term role in question. Could he be best served as a sixth man off the bench for a contender? That's not what Blazers fans want to hear for their promising young guard, but it's a question worth asking.
Hopefully, he becomes a more efficient three-level threat, and all of these concerns can be laid to rest. Sharpe's next opportunity to right the ship in 2026 comes on Jan 5, when the Blazers take on the Utah Jazz at the Moda Center.