THE Portland Trail Blazers The Red Sox are preparing for another season marked by development and mounting losses. There’s a method behind the motivated plunge down the standings with a draft class full of tantalizing prospects on the horizon.
The Blazers’ 2024-25 roster of veterans and rookies creates an imbalance in skill and experience. But while the Blazers are unlikely to win more than 25 games, some players could be in the running for highly coveted individual awards.
The highest individual honor, Most Valuable Player, is almost certainly out of the question, but awards like Rookie of the Year and Most Improved Player are very much in play.
We take a closer look at this.
All-Star
Jerami Grant
23-24: 54 games, 21.0 points, 40.2% from 3-point range, 3.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks
Probability: low
Unfortunately for Grant, All-Star invitations tend to be reserved for players from winning teams. The Blazers won’t be among them.
Grant is an above-average two-way forward who contributes in almost every aspect of the court except rebounding.
He’s probably still the Blazer with the best chance, but the level of frontcourt talent across the Western Conference will also make things difficult for the former Syracuse star.
If the 30-year-old can improve his rebounding rate, keep his three-point shooting percentage above 40 percent and provide effective defense at multiple positions, he has a chance. I’m not holding my breath.
Anfernee Simons
23-24: 46 games, 22.6 points, 38.5% from 3-point range, 3.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 0.5 steals,
Probability: low
Simons appears poised to move to a better position over the next 12 months. While many would prefer Henderson to start at point guard, Simons won’t be coming off the bench during his time in Portland.
To be considered an All-Star, Simons must continue to improve his offensive production while maintaining his efficiency, especially from three-point range. The defense doesn’t convince anyone, but Simons has a unique ability to create for himself and others, scoring in multiple ways, leaving his opponents guessing.
It’s unlikely he’ll get the nod, especially given the talent level of guards in the Western Conference.
Deni Avdija
23-24: 75 games, 14.7 points, 37.4% from 3-point range, 7.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.5 blocks
Probability: low
The man can do a little bit of everything and if the above numbers continue to rise there is a chance, but I doubt it will happen this year.
The Israeli-born forward will have plenty of opportunities to shine, but a lot of things will have to go right for that to be a possibility.
Shaedon Sharpe
23-24: 32 games, 15.9 points, 33.3% from 3-point range, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.4 blocks
Probability: low
Sharpe would have to make a giant step up to be in the running here. Personally, I believe the Canadian has the game and athleticism to make it to the February event, maybe even a few times, but it’s unlikely this season.
Deandre Ayton
23-24: 55 games, 16.7 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals, 0.8 blocks
Probability: infinitesimal
If Ayton can maintain the production we saw in March and April, then there is a chance. But that “if” might be one “if” too many for it to be a legitimate option.
While centers are now included in the category of frontcourt players, voters tend not to care about an abundance of fives. With Nikola Jokic, Anthony Davis, Domantas Sabonis, Rudy Gobert, Karl-Anthony Towns, Alperen Sengun and Victor Wembanyama in the West, that becomes difficult.
Rookie of the year
Donovan Clingan
23-24 (University of Connecticut): 35 games, 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.5 blocks
Probability: Significant chance
At this point, Deandre Ayton, Zaccharie Risacher, Reed Sheppard and Stephon Castle are the four biggest obstacles to Clingan’s victory.
Ayton, obviously, since Clingan is slated to come off the bench behind the big Bahamian. But the reigning UConn champion will still get as many minutes as he can handle, considering he averaged just 22.5 minutes with the Huskies last season. He should get close to that with the Blazers next season.
As for his own class, Risacher could be a starter, but he’s unlikely to be in too much contact with Trae Young and Jalen Johnson on the roster. Sheppard will likely come off the bench behind Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green.
His former UConn teammate Castle appears to be his biggest threat with the San Antonio Spurs which probably gives him every chance of acclimatizing quickly alongside Victor Wembanyama.
Clingan won’t put up huge offensive numbers, but if he can average 1-for-2 shooting, grab double-digit rebounds and provide solid defense, he has a chance.
Most Improved Player
Shaedon Sharpe
23-24: 32 games, 15.9 points, 33.3% from 3-point range, 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.4 blocks
Probability: Possible
I’m not betting on Sharpe in that category, but if last season showed us anything, it’s that the young Canadian is starting to figure things out.
He’s now in his third year of play, which gives him a better chance of winning the award, and if he can elevate his production to 20 points per game with decent efficiency, we’re set. Contributing to an above-average defense, maintaining top-tier rebounding numbers, and increasing his facilitation stats wouldn’t hurt either.
More than all that, Sharpe showed us glimpses of that unmeasurable X-factor, capable of doing a little bit of everything that contributes to competitive basketball.
If he can exploit that this season, it could happen.
Scoot Henderson
23-24: 62 games, 14.0 points, 32.5% from 3-point range, 3.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.8 steals
Probability: low
Fortunately for Henderson, achieving realistic goals this season would be a real improvement over last year. For Henderson to have a real chance, that three-point shot needs to be made more than 37 percent of the time and his assists need to be closer to 8 or 9 per game.
His rim and mid-range conversions also need to improve significantly from last year’s 46% and 37%, respectively.
But his biggest problem may be history. Monta Ellis was the last sophomore to win the award, in 2007.
Sixth Man of the Year
Scoot Henderson
23-24: 62 games, 14.0 points, 32.5% from 3-point range, 3.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 0.8 steals
Probability: very low
For everyone who is mad at Henderson for being in this category, I’m sorry. But if Anfernee Simons is on the roster, Henderson will come off the bench. That’s not debatable.
The former third overall pick was actually better off last season, able to work out his problems against lesser opponents. I think it’s only fitting that he continues to do that until he’s ready or Simons is traded.
But if Simons is moved this offseason or early this season, Henderson’s likely promotion to the starting unit could prevent him from being eligible.
That being said, Henderson is unlikely to win the award, which is typically given to players on teams making the playoffs.
The entire defensive team
Matisse Thybulle
23-24: 65 games, 5.4 points, 34.6% from 3-point range, 2.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.8 steals
Probability: low
Thybulle has already been selected to two All-Defensive teams, the first time playing just 20 minutes per game over eight starts.
If he wants to score his third goal, the Australian national representative will once again have to do so with minimal playing time. While coach Chauncey Billups will always tend to play veterans like Thybulle rather than rookie-level players, there are only a few minutes left to play.
If the defensive end can maintain a decent three-point shooting percentage, he could play more, but development will remain a top priority for the Blazers.
Conclusion
Clingan is the Blazers’ best chance at winning an individual award. Not only because it’s one of the few awards that isn’t based on team success, but also because he appears to have an NBA-worthy skill set that should contribute seamlessly.
You probably noticed that I mentioned the five starters expected to make the All-Star roster, but I don’t expect any of them to make it.
If I had to pick a second most likely award, it would be Shaedon Sharpe for Most Improved Player. Sharpe has the athleticism and skill set to do that and if he can stay healthy and continue the progress we saw in 32 games last season, we’ll talk about it.
That being said, Blazers fans need to reset their expectations this season. Development and draft position will take priority over prize money and playoffs this season.
