Portland Trail Blazers: 3 role players with the most to prove in second half
2. Shabazz Napier
Shabazz Napier has been quite the story in Portland this season. Last season, his first in Rip City, he could barely get on the floor despite being the only other true point guard on the roster besides Lillard.
However, he has fought for a place in the main rotation this season. Sometimes, he even finds himself in the game alongside Lillard and McCollum as part of a speedy three-guard lineup.
Napier notably stepped up recently when Damian Lillard dealt with nagging right leg issues. In the seven games from Dec. 22 to Jan. 9 that Lillard missed, Napier averaged 18.0 points, 4.9 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 2.1 steals per game. He had four 20-point performances in that span, including a stretch of three consecutive games.
On the season, Napier is averaging 9.3 points, 2.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game. He’s also shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 40.3 percent from 3-point range. Those are, by far, the best numbers of his career.
Napier will also be a restricted free agent this summer. His price tag is a little heftier than Connaughton’s, as he possesses a $3.4 million qualifying offer. But if he continues to show growth in the second half of the season and keeps delivering off the bench, Portland could potentially keep him. However, if they don’t, Napier would likely set himself up for a big payday with another team.