Hoops Habit
Fansided

Ed Davis set to return to Portland Trail Blazers’ muddled frontcourt picture

By Raymond Simms

December 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) controls the ball against the defense of Portland Trail Blazers forward Ed Davis (17) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford (11) controls the ball against the defense of Portland Trail Blazers forward Ed Davis (17) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Ed Davis’s future role with the Portland Trail Blazers is unclear heading into the summer.

Big man Ed Davis had a stellar 2015-16 campaign, his first with the Portland Trail Blazers. He averaged 6.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 20.8 minutes per game in his 81 regular season appearances off the bench.

Davis also played in all 11 games of the Blazers’ playoff run. He averaged 5.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 18.6 minutes per game in the postseason.

In advanced stats, Davis finished 2015-16 with the most win shares (6.7) and highest Box Plus-Minus (3.3) of his career. He tied his highest Value Over Replacement Player (2.3) and had his second-highest player efficiency rating (18.7) in his career. Davis reached his highs in both of those stats during his 2014-15 season with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Davis had a phenomenal 2016 as a role player. He placed eighth in that season’s Sixth Man of the Year voting, even receiving a first place nod.

After such a good season, it was reasonable to believe he could continue to deliver his off-the-bench contributions in 2016-17. He even bulked up in the offseason to presumably help him hold his own when he’s called to play the center position.

More from Portland Trail Blazers

Unfortunately, 2016-17 proved to be a rough season for Ed Davis.

Production-wise, things started off slow. He didn’t reach double-digits in points or rebounds until Nov. 18. In that game, he pulled down 11 rebounds in a 113-101 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Pelicans game was Ed Davis’ – and Portland’s – 14th of the season. He had five such games by that same point in 2015-16. He even had eight such games in 2014-15 with the Lakers.

However, that game helped Davis get into a groove. It was his first start as a Trail Blazer, and kicked off a streak of 10 consecutive games as a starter.

Davis would end up starting in 11 games over a 12-game span, holding down the starting power forward spot for an injured Al-Farouq Aminu.

Davis had his best game of the year during this time. He came away with 14 points and 10 rebounds in a close loss to the New York Knicks. He also had a 10-point, 10-rebound performance in a Dec. 8 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Ed Davis averaged 5.7 points and 7.2 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game in those 12 games. That was an improvement from the 2.7 points and 4.2 rebounds per game he averaged in the first 13 games of the year.

Upon Aminu’s return, Davis returned to his bench role. That’s when the injury issues began to flare up.

On Jan. 15, Blazers beat reporter Casey Holdahl reported that Davis was suffering from a left ankle sprain. He attempted to give it a go in the next game against the Washington Wizards, but only lasted five minutes.

Live Feed

Ex-Blazers No. 1 pick makes bold claim about Scoot Henderson's future
Ex-Blazers No. 1 pick makes bold claim about Scoot Henderson's future /

Rip City Project

  • NBA Trade Rumors: ESPN insider predicts Heat have best offer for Damian LillardSir Charles In Charge
  • It's time for the Blazers to accept reality with their Damian Lillard messRip City Project
  • NBA Trade Rumors: Heat, Blazers enter deadline month for Damian LillardSir Charles In Charge
  • 4 Trail Blazers with something to prove heading toward training campRip City Project
  • These NBA stars might switch teams sooner rather than laterAll U Can Heat

    • He would go on to play in only one of the following seven games, accruing a left wrist sprain during that span.

    Davis would eventually return, playing in five of the next seven games to start off February. However, he was then benched for the final two games of the month.

    Finally, the Blazers announced on March 1 that Davis would undergo arthroscopic left shoulder surgery and miss the remainder of the season. The surgery set out to fix an issue that had apparently bothered him since the 2015-16 season.

    His hidden shoulder problem would explain the year-to-year decrease in production. Davis saw a decrease of 2.1 points and 1.7 rebounds and an increase of 2.0 fouls per 36 minutes from 2015-16 to 2016-17.

    In the end, Davis finished 2016-17 with 46 appearances and 12 starts. He averaged 4.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 fouls, and 17.2 minutes per game. His 11.5 Player Efficiency Rating, 1.7 win shares, -2.0 Box Plus-Minus, and 0.0 VORP were all career-lows.

    The surgery was held on March 7 and deemed a success. Hopefully it will bring Ed Davis back to his old, productive self. But at the moment, his role with the Blazers is in question once he returns for training camp.

    Jan 10, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Ed Davis (17) attempts a shot after being fouled by Los Angeles Lakers guard Lou Williams (23) during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Portland Trail Blazers won 108-87. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
    Jan 10, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers forward Ed Davis (17) attempts a shot after being fouled by Los Angeles Lakers guard Lou Williams (23) during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. The Portland Trail Blazers won 108-87. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

    Ed Davis will return to a crowded frontcourt. Jusuf Nurkic – whom Davis only played two games alongside – has cemented himself as the starting center. Noah Vonleh, Meyers Leonard, and Al-Farouq Aminu picked up the backup center and power forward minutes in Davis’ absence.

    Vonleh showed some positive signs of development and could see more rotation time in 2017-18. Leonard struggled, but will be looking to improve during the offseason so that he can make a case for extended minutes.

    Aminu became a full-time power forward in 2016-17. His statistical production was checkered, but he also had some bright moments in his new role.

    More from Hoops Habit

    On top of returning players possibly eating into Davis’s minutes, the Blazers’ draft situation also muddies the picture. Multiple mock drafts have Portland taking at least one big man with one of their three first round picks.

    With all the big men on – and possibly coming to – the roster, will there be room for Ed Davis?

    Davis’ contract expires in the summer of 2018 and he will be an unrestricted free agent. The Blazers front office could move him for some assets if he doesn’t fit into their long-term plans.

    However, Davis still has a lot to offer when healthy. Even as he battled injuries, he still showed persistence and hustle. There is a chance he could return to his old production now that he has had surgery.

    At 27 years old, he is also currently the second-oldest player on the roster. The Blazers could use him as a veteran voice for the frontcourt players, especially since Festus Ezeli won’t be returning next year.

    Next: 5 potential landing spots for Gordon Hayward in free agency

    But the resolution to these questions won’t be coming for awhile. Ed Davis can only spend the summer rehabbing and hope that his role will be clear by training camp.

    Home/Portland Trail Blazers