Chauncey Billups will continue to experiment with different starting units for the Portland Trail Blazers' next three preseason games. But is that really even necessary? We all saw how the first preseason game went, and it's already become clear this should be the starting unit going forward:
- PG: Jrue Holiday
- SG: Shaedon Sharpe
- SF: Toumani Camara
- PF: Deni Avdija
- C: Donovan Clingan
Blazers' youth have surpassed their veterans
In their first game against the Golden State Warriors, Billups shocked Blazers fans by electing to bring Deni Avdija, of all people, off the bench. That was a mistake that hopefully won't be repeated anytime soon, as Avdija is arguably Portland's best player.
Whether it's in this upcoming game against the Sacramento Kings or later, it's likely that Billups will eventually experiment with bringing Grant off the bench. That's something that Grant himself has said that he doesn't really expect to happen, but it needs to happen anyway.
It's already apparent that this is Portland's strongest unit, and that game when Grant does come off the bench will only be further confirmation. The Blazers' offense will miss Grant's spot-up shooting, but the cons of having him start simply outweigh the pros due to his declining production.
Last season, Grant averaged 14.4 points while shooting an inefficient 37.3% from the field. Anyone expecting a bounce-back year may be second-guessing themselves after his lackluster preseason game against the Warriors. Grant finished that game with eight points, five rebounds, one assist, and three steals while shooting 2-of-11 from the field.
Grant is a very one-dimensional player who doesn't provide much as a playmaker or rebounder (which is surprising, given his 6-foot-7 frame). If he's not shooting efficiently, he simply doesn't offer enough in other aspects to justify giving him a starting role. That is especially the case when there are younger players on this rebuilding Blazers team who look primed for breakout seasons.
Shaedon Sharpe and Toumani Camara were Portland's two standout performers in their game against Golden State, recording 22 and 14 points, respectively. Signs are pointing towards them both taking leaps this season, and the Blazers would be foolish not to put them in optimal positions to increase the chances of those breakouts coming to fruition.
Grant is trending downwards while the other starting candidates continue to ascend. Part of the reason general manager Joe Cronin made these win-now moves was that he believes in the progression of their young core. Portland's youth have already surpassed some of its veterans in terms of talent. Now it's time to make it official by giving them the starting spots they've earned.