The [Portland Trail Blazers](https://www.blazersedge.com) will enter next month’s [NBA Draft](https://www.sbnation.com/nba-draft), armed with the 11th pick and phones to make and field trade offers for said selection. Whether General Manager Joe Cronin uses the pick remains to be seen, but if he does I’ll be curious to see what type of player is brought in.
The Blazers 2024-25 squad enjoyed a better than anticipated second half of the season, briefly threatening Play-In teams above them in the Western Conference standings. While the late run resulted in poorer odds at a high draft pick, it did help identify players that might be of value to the franchise moving forward.
I point directly to Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara with Shaedon Sharpe and Donovan Clingan close behind. Some believe strongly in Scoot Henderson, others don’t. Either way, the fivesome looks relatively balanced from a distance.
But most watchers would have to acknowledge that this group is not contending at the highest level. I’ve tried to look at it from all angles but, no matter how talented you think they are, there is no way this young core is ever getting close to the Larry O’Brien trophy.
So what’s the next step?
The fact that there is talent at all five positions should liberate Cronin to pick best player available over fit next month. But if we had to project forward, which starting positions might be the weakest long term?
**The current state of affairs**
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Point guard might be the hardest question to answer. As long as Anfernee Simons is with the franchise, he should be the starting point guard. Though many believe Scoot Henderson is the heir apparent, he still carries a lot of question marks.
Shaedon Sharpe has shooting guard right now but Deni Avdija and Toumani Camara can also serve on the perimeter if required. I also want to throw in Matisse Thybulle who wouldn’t look out of place starting at the two, when required — assuming he picks up his player option.
The Avdija/Camara duo is a lock to be with the team for the foreseeable future and will largely serve in the two forward roles once Jerami Grant is moved on. While I seriously doubt it, I could see this team keeping Deandre Ayton around a little longer to allow Donovan Clingan to grow into the starting center role.
But this discussion could all be moot with serious changes still in the offing and occurring as soon as this summer. Though some might be hoping the Blazers’ young core is in Oregon long term, I’m not convinced on all of them.
In order for the Blazers to bring in real talent, they’ll have to part with assets that are actually valuable. Picks are fine, but young players with genuine promise are that much better.
**Who’s still in these roles a year from now?**
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There’s a world where the Blazers field a team featuring Camara at the two, Avdija at the three and Clingan at the five. This scenario obviously doesn’t include Sharpe, which genuinely upsets me.
But unless Cronin extends him this summer, I think we still need to wait and see if he’s the future in Portland or a trade piece. If I squint and turn my head sideways, point guard might be Henderson but I’m far from anointing him with the title.
He and the rest of the roster, not mentioned above, should all be up in the air at the moment. The franchise attaching itself to players it drafted was Neil Olshey’s biggest mistake and the reason Damian Lillard left without adding anything to the trophy cabinet.
Tough decisions will need to be made and if that means parting with one of Portland’s own drafted high selection, so be it. It’s time for this team to focus on winning and winning at the highest possible level.
**A difference maker**
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Unless something miraculous happens within the current group, this team still needs its difference maker. Cooper Flagg would have slotted in as starting power forward perfectly if the Blazers had lucked out at the NBA Draft Lottery.
But given this team is probably not bad enough to tank next season, said difference maker will have to come via trade or the 11th pick in a few weeks. If it’s happening via trade, something of value needs to go out and I’m looking at the backcourt in waiting, Henderson and Sharpe.
While I would categorically choose to keep Sharpe over Henderson, if the young Canadian is the piece that lands the Blazers that franchise changing piece, there’s no discussion. I’m not saying Sharpe doesn’t get to that point, but a lot has to go right for him to be that multi-time All Star with his own shoe.
**Conclusion**
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The problem Cronin has is that the veterans need to be moved and a return secured before he can categorically determine which direction to go. If I’m projecting where the holes in the roster might be over the next 12 months, I’m looking at point guard and power forward.
At shooting guard, you have Shaedon Sharpe with Toumani Camara versatile enough to play move out to the perimeter when required. At small forward, it’s either Avdija and Camara and at center it’s Donovan Clingan when Deandre Ayton finds a new home.
The problem the Blazers have at point guard is that Anfernee Simons is probably the best candidate at the position without being a traditional point guard. Scoot Henderson is yet to show he deserves the role long term.
Grant is currently the starting power forward but, as most pundits have opined, is the most likely veteran on the roster to be moved. Avdija and Camara can play the position but they can’t do it if one of them is also manning the two and three.
This question isn’t likely to impact Cronin’s decision at the NBA Draft but it’s no doubt a consideration he’ll have to consider heading into free agency and trade season.