Ranking the 10 Blazers who need to play the most minutes the rest of this season
Which young players should get the most run down the stretch and where do the vets fit in?
8. Ibou Badji
Badji has significant upside on the defensive end of the floor. His 7-1 height and 7-foot-9 wingspan, along with his athleticism, give him a chance to become a high-level rim protector in the NBA. He's gotten some run with the Blazers and has flashed that upside to the tune of 19 blocks in 15 games. He deserves more playing time down the stretch.
Like Rupert, though, he would still benefit from getting more starts and more minutes with the Remix rather than playing spot minutes in Portland. He's still 21 years old and will be behind Deandre Ayton and Duop Reath in the center pecking order when both are healthy.