The Portland Trail Blazers are 13-28 midway through 2024-25. Their win percentage is higher as they are on pace for five more wins than last year. But overall, it's been a disappointing first half of the season. As a team with no playoff aspirations entering the season, it was apparent from the start that their record wouldn't determine the Blazers' success this year.
In just the second year of their rebuilding process, Portland needs to gain more roster clarity and emphasize player development. Yet, halfway into the season, they still have a roster with more questions than answers.
Deni Avdija: A-
Deni Avdija began the season off to a slow start with his new team, leaving some to wonder whether his improved three-point shooting last year in Washington was a fluke. But the good news for Blazers fans is that Avdija's shooting has drastically picked up since the start of the season, as he's now at 35.6 percent from beyond the arc this season.
His well-rounded game has been on full display for a one-dimensional team that desperately needed more versatility. You can even make a strong case that he's been Portland's best player this season.
Deandre Ayton: D
We're not sure what the opposite of "DominAyton" is, but Deandre Ayton has been that this season. The two areas in which Ayton impacts the game the most are scoring and rebounding, yet his 13.5 points and 9.9 rebounds per game are both the lowest of his career. His inconsistent motor and lack of defense, most notably his inability to protect the rim, are negatively affecting the Blazers this season.
Dalano Banton: B-
The main question surrounding Dalano Banton was whether he could still be impactful in a lessened role this season. He's primarily addressed that concern with his ability to provide a much-needed scoring punch off the bench despite averaging 16.2 minutes. A huge reason why Banton has been able to thrive without the ball in his hands as much is his improved three-point shooting, going from 31.1 percent last season to 36.8 this season.
At times, Banton needs to emphasize ball movement more. But he's been a nice change-of-pace player who has singlehandedly won a few games for Portland this season.
Toumani Camara: A-
Toumani Camara has emerged as the best player the Suns or Blazers received in the three-team deal, as he's outplayed both Ayton and Jusuf Nurkic. Defensively, Camara is leading the league in charges drawn this season at 18. He's frequently guarding the opposing team's best player and is an on-ball pest with his 6-foot-7 frame.
The pleasant surprise, however, has come on the offensive end. Camara is shooting 33.7 percent from three and has shown flashes of improvement as someone who can sometimes create his own shot. After years of lacking forwards, Portland finally has found its long-term 3-and-D wing.
Donovan Clingan: B
Donovan Clingan has been precisely what we expected as an NBA player, which is a good thing, considering he was a massive part of UConn winning back-to-back NCAA national championships.
Clingan's offensive limitations are apparent, but he's shown promise as a Myles Turner or Brook Lopez-type player who can space the floor offensively and protect the paint defensively. Clingan is shooting 30.0 percent from three to go along with 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks in just 16.7 minutes per game.
He needs to improve his conditioning to eventually take over the starting role, but Clingan has been as advertised. That's refreshing in a 2024 draft class that hasn't fared well in the NBA overall.
Jerami Grant: D
Jerami Grant has arguably been the most disappointing Blazers player so far this season. His scoring (14.7 points per game) and efficiency (38.1 field goal percent) are drastically down. Grant is a bit of a one-dimensional player who relies heavily on scoring to be impactful. He doesn't provide much as a rebounder or playmaker and isn't as good as a defender as you'd expect for someone with a 7-foot-3 wingspan.
It's hard for the Blazers to justify sacrificing the development of their young core by giving Grant a starting role and playing him 32.4 minutes a game in general, but especially given his play this season.
Scoot Henderson: B-
Scoot Henderson has shown subtle signs of progress in his second season. However, his scoring is down from 14.0 points to 12.2 points per game, which can largely be attributed to his diminished role, as Scoot's minutes and usage rate are down from last year.
He's slowly addressing two of the most significant areas he needs to improve -- playmaking and three-point shooting. Henderson's turnovers have dipped from 3.4 to 2.8 per game, while his three-point shooting has increased from 32.5 to 34.9 percent.
Inconsistency remains a major issue for the 20-year-old Henderson, which is to be expected. But the flashes are there, despite the Blazers not putting him in the optimal position to succeed.
Kris Murray: B-
Kris Murray has carved out a nice bench role for himself and has earned Chauncey Billups' trust more as the season has progressed. He's still a below-average shooter at 27.6 percent from three this season. But Murray is finding a way to be impactful in other areas as he's a versatile defender with his 6-foot-8 frame.
Offensively, Murray is the type of bench player your team wants as someone who knows his role and rarely tries to do too much. If he can improve his shot to the point where he's not a liability, the Blazers will have another valuable piece to add to their young core.
Duop Reath: D+
After a surprising rookie season, "Big Daddy" Duop Reath is having a down year. It hasn't entirely been his fault, as he hasn't had consistent opportunities and has been buried at the bottom of a crowded center-depth chart. Reath averages 6.1 minutes per game this season, significantly less than the 17.9 last season.
The one attribute that makes Reath stand out from other centers is his ability to space the floor, but that's also down from last season, as he's shooting 31.3 percent from three.
This is one of those cases where it's in both parties' best interest to find a trade partner before the Feb. 6 deadline.
Rayan Rupert: C
It's challenging to give Rayan Rupert a definitive grade as the former No. 43 overall pick has averaged just 8.8 minutes this season. At just 20 years old, Rupert remains more of a developmental flier than someone ready to make a consistent impact this season. Ideally, he'd be shooting better than 29.4 percent from beyond the arc.
But Rupert is a unique two-way player who doesn't necessarily need to be an above-average shooter to be impactful. Billups and the rebuilding Blazers should try to find more minutes for him in the second half of the season.
Shaedon Sharpe: B+
Shaedon Sharpe is tied with Anfernee Simons as the Blazers' leading scorer at 18.0 points per game. Seeing him back healthy after only playing 32 games last season due to a core muscle injury has been one of the most notable silver linings of the Blazers' season.
Sharpe could be due for a substantial rookie-scale extension after this season and is making a strong case for himself. He needs to improve his three-point shooting to reach his All-Star ceiling, but his shot creation, athleticism, and underrated playmaking are all in place for Sharpe to be one of the Blazers' best players for hopefully the next decade-plus.
Anfernee Simons: C-
For a starting point guard, Simons is not a great playmaker, averaging 4.9 assists this season. He's also a defensive liability, given his 6-foot-3, 200-pound frame.
Typically, Simons makes up for those weaknesses with his elite shoot-making ability. However, his shot has been much more inconsistent this season, as his 36.1 three-point percentage is the lowest since his 2019-20 season. His questionable shot selection is even more apparent when these high-difficulty shots aren't falling.
Simons has significantly played better in his last ten games, shooting 44.0 percent from three in that stretch. But overall, this has been a relatively disappointing season for the Blazers combo guard.