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Blazers' projected starting 5 and bench rotation after Shaedon Sharpe's injury

Without Shaedon Sharpe, Chauncey Billups will have to get creative.

By Reese Kunz

Mar 11, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; The Portland Trail Blazers bench, from left, guard Malcolm Brogdon (11), guard Shaedon Sharpe (17), center Duop Reath (26), center Deandre Ayton (2), guard Scoot Henderson (00), and guard Anfernee Simons (1) watch the final minutes of a game against the Boston Celtics at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Mar 11, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; The Portland Trail Blazers bench, from left, guard Malcolm Brogdon (11), guard Shaedon Sharpe (17), center Duop Reath (26), center Deandre Ayton (2), guard Scoot Henderson (00), and guard Anfernee Simons (1) watch the final minutes of a game against the Boston Celtics at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
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Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups was going to have to make a difficult decision regarding whether to start Shaedon Sharpe or Scoot Henderson in the backcourt alongside Anfernee Simons. Ideally, both Sharpe and Henderson would be starting, as they are arguably the two most important players in the Blazers' rebuilding plans due to their high draft pedigree and All-Star potential.

But the Blazers have a strangely constructed roster in the sense that it is mainly unfinished heading into the 2024-25 season. They have four centers, established players that should be traded, and several players with overlapping skill sets. With Sharpe now expected to miss four to six weeks with a shoulder injury, their season has already become even more jumbled.

While it will be easier for Billups to decide who will be the Blazers' starters, he will have to get much more creative with his rotations. The Blazers have an extremely deep bench, but the most skilled players on the bench are frontcourt players. Because of this, it's not going to be just one player to step up in Sharpe's absence.

Blazers' projected lineup and rotation without Sharpe

Starting lineup:

  • PG - Scoot Henderson
  • SG - Anfernee Simons
  • SF - Deni Avdija
  • PF - Jerami Grant
  • C - Deandre Ayton

Bench rotation:

  • 6. Toumani Camara
  • 7. Donovan Clingan
  • 8. Dalano Banton
  • 9. Robert Williams III
  • 10. Matisse Thybulle
  • 11. Jabari Walker
  • 12. Kris Murray
  • 13. Duop Reath

Blazers that could have an increased role

In this scenario, Rayan Rupert and Sharpe round out the 15-man rotation. Rupert only played 16.2 minutes last season despite multiple injuries suffered by key Blazers, so it could be difficult for him to see as many minutes this season. However, it is still important that head coach Chauncey Billups continues to prioritize player development over winning.

Given the Blazers' current situation as a rebuilding team with no realistic playoff expectations, Rupert is a prime example of someone who should be receiving minutes. Rupert is only 20 years old and could be a net negative player this season. Still, Portland must go through growing pains with these types of players to help them develop and reach their ceiling by the time they are ready to compete for a playoff spot again.

Other players that fit this criteria include Jabari Walker and Kris Murray, but both players saw north of 20 minutes per game last season and seem to be more safely in the Blazers' rotation. You could make a strong case that Rupert needs to be ahead of Murray in the rotation, as he is four years younger and has more untapped potential.

Dalano Banton still needs to make the 15-man roster officially. He doesn't have a guaranteed deal, meaning the Blazers could potentially elect to enter the season with someone like Devonte Graham instead. But it would be surprising if Portland decided to go that route, as Banton showed promise in his increased role last season and fits their rebuilding timeline better at 24 years old.

Assuming Banton does make the roster, those games where he has an increased role will be crucial for him. Hopefully, he can capitalize on this opportunity, just as he did during his 30 games with the Blazers last season, in which he averaged 16.7 points.

The Blazers entered the offseason with an overcrowded backcourt but now face a shortage after the Malcolm Brogdon trade and Sharpe's injury. Sharpe is expected to miss at least seven regular-season games as he recovers. It could be longer since the Blazers don't want to rush back someone who could end up being the face of their rebuild, especially since they are trying to land a top draft pick in 2025.

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