SG: Shaedon Sharpe
Shaedon Sharpe was poised to have a sophomore-year breakout after his strong finish to his rookie season but was limited to 32 games after undergoing surgery for a core muscle injury. But Sharpe has shown enough in his two limited seasons to be still considered one of the focal points of the Blazers' rebuilding plans.
One aspect of his game that Sharpe will need to improve is his defense, both on and off the ball, but his athleticism and seven-foot wingspan suggest that he can stay in front of ball handlers on the perimeter and provide help defense in the paint.
Offensively is where Sharpe has All-Star potential. As he continues to improve as a shooter, it will be challenging for teams to devise a defensive strategy to contain Sharpe. He's not an elite playmaker, but he is a willing passer, which will increase in importance as he continues to improve as a scorer with double teams and help defenders coming more frequently.
On "The Lowe Post" podcast, ESPN's Zach Lowe identified his most intriguing players for the upcoming season, mentioning Sharpe. Lowe expressed confidence in Sharpe's long-term impact in the league, particularly on offense. "I was watching a lot of film on him today, and I came away from it even more optimistic about his development as some kind of elite offensive weapon down the line."
Sharpe is overdue for a significant breakout. He should be considered a part of their dream starting lineup five years from now and has an excellent chance of becoming the best player currently on Portland's roster.