10 NBA players approaching their last chance in 2017-18

6. Pat Connaughton

The Portland Trail Blazers guaranteed the third year of Pat Connaughton‘s rookie contract when they decided not to waive him before the Aug. 31 deadline. It’s a $1.5 million investment in a player who’s shown very little through his first two seasons and has a potential MLB career waiting if the NBA doesn’t work out.

Holding career averages of 1.8 points and 1.2 rebounds in 6.3 minutes per game, Connaughton’s only redeeming stat is his 40.7 percent shooting from 3-point range…on 54 total attempts. The Allen Crabbe trade could open up some minutes for him on the wing, and with restricted free agency on the horizon, making the most of them will be key for the former Notre Dame star.

Since Connaughton is only 24 years old and possesses tremendous athleticism, someone will probably take a flier on him next summer if the Blazers move on. But at what point does the possibility of a career in professional baseball outweigh the same old struggles in the NBA?