The Portland Trail Blazers need to surround Deni Avdija with three-point shooting before it's too late. For as dramatic as that sentence may read, the Trail Blazers are entering dangerous territory that far too many downhill-style stars have ventured into in the past.
As the worst three-point shooting team in the NBA, Portland desperately needs to address its glaring weakness or risk failing to fully capitalize on Avdija's remarkable leap.
The Trail Blazers currently rank No. 4 in the NBA in three-point field goal attempts per game. That clearly displays a commitment to spacing the floor so that Avdija, as well as other slashing scorers, can get inside and work their magic.
Unfortunately, Portland is also dead last in three-point field goal percentage—and it's not necessarily a mere product of poor shot selection.
The Trail Blazers are No. 30 in catch-and-shoot three-point field goal percentage despite ranking No. 8 in attempts. Worst of all: They're No. 25 in three-point field goal percentage on wide open looks. To put it simply, Portland can't shoot.
Thankfully, the trade deadline hasn't yet passed and the Blazers can add the type of talent they need if they're willing to gamble on the open market.
Trail Blazers desperately need shooters to take pressure off of slashers
There are positive signs from within the organization that suggest internal improvement could be achieved to some degree. Shaedon Sharpe, for instance, is shooting 40.4 percent on 5.9 three-point field goal attempts per game over his past 23 appearances.
Toumani Camara has experienced a similar resurgence at 37.5 percent over his past 24 showings, while Caleb Love is knocking down 39.3 percent of his attempts over his past 15 games.
For as encouraging as their development may be, the fact remains that the Trail Blazers are thin on efficient shooters. That's even more alarming when one considers that the team's leader in three-point field goal percentage, Jerami Grant, has appeared in just two games since Dec. 19.
Portland simply can't allow the trend of lackluster shooting to persist if it hopes to capitalize on what's been an All-Star season from Avdija.
Avdija is currently averaging 26.2 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 6.9 assists on .470/.355/.804 shooting. More importantly, he's leading the NBA with 20.3 drives, 10.0 passes via drives, and 2.7 assists via drives per game.
With the offensive focal point clearly preferring to get inside and find open shooters, the Trail Blazers must utilize the trade market to complement him with the efficient floor spacers he needs.