ESPN's Tim Legler recently made the case that Shaedon Sharpe will breakout from the start of the 2025-26 season on the ALL NBA Podcast.
"I liked what I saw from this team to finish the year. And I think that Shaedon Sharpe has another gear that he's going to hit this year. I think Shaedon Sharpe is really going to take off, and it's going to be early in the year -- not like the second half. He's going to really be on point from the beginning of the season."
The Blazers impressively have three players inside the top ten for best odds to win Most Improved Player of the Year on DraftKings: Deni Avdija, Scoot Henderson, and Sharpe. All three showed significant improvement in 2024-25. In 25 games following the All-Star break, Sharpe averaged 21.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 3.3 assists on 47/32/76 shooting splits.
Shaedon Sharpe set to benefit from Blazers' offseason moves
In their one-for-one swap of Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday, Portland sent Boston a 19.3 point scorer with a 24.6 percent usage rate for an 11.1 point scorer with a 15.9 percent usage rate. They also bought out a double-double machine in Deandre Ayton, clearing the path for defensive-minded Donovan Clingan to start.
Even in their decision to sign Blake Wesley instead of bringing back Dalano Banton, Portland has been consistent throughout this entire surprising offseason: they are emphasizing their defensive identity. In the process, they are freeing up touches and scoring opportunities for their young core, specifically in the backcourt.
Last season made it clear that Avdija is Portland's go-to option, something that is even more apparent after Simons' departure. Most of the talk has been about Henderson's golden opportunity to break out and emerge as Portland's secondary playmaker thanks to these summer moves. But the impact it's had on Sharpe has largely flown under the radar.
Towards the end of the 2024-25 season, it was Sharpe -- not Henderson -- who emerged as Avdija's sidekick. And if Legler is right, that's something that will immediately carry over into next season.
Hopefully that's the case, as Portland is deeply hurting for offensive firepower. Until that gets addressed, they'll be on the outside looking in at a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference. Sharpe is arguably the best bet to solve that massive problem, which is currently capping the Blazers' rebuilding ceiling.