Portland Trail Blazers: Best candidates for 2018-19 NBA awards

PORTLAND, OR - MAY 1: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers, center, Neil Olshey, the team's general manager, left, and head coach Terry Stotts pose with the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy after Lillard won the 2012-2013 Kia NBA Rookie of the Year award on May 1, 2013 at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2013 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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Rookie of the Year: Gary Trent Jr.

The Blazers selected Anfernee Simons in the first round and Gary Trent Jr, in the second round, but Trent has a better shot at having a better first season in the league. He is more physically ready to compete in the NBA at 6’6″ and 209 pounds. His elite 3-point shooting could earn him minutes right away because Portland needs shooters on the floor.

In NBA Summer League, Trent played with a ton of confidence on offense and defense. He had no issue running the offense and creating plays with the ball in his hands and then playing off the ball and finding ways to get open.

On the defensive end, Trent has some work to do, but he tries hard and plays with a high IQ. When the NBA’s Rookie Survey came out a few weeks ago, the rookies named Trent as one of the best shooters in the draft and one of the steals of the draft.

Trent will be a role player off the bench and has a chance to beat out Nik Stauskas and Jake Layman for minutes as one of the primary bench guys alongside Zach Collins, Evan Turner and Seth Curry.

Trent’s size and skill will help him to play both shooting guard and small forward in the league, and maybe even some point guard if needed. Trent can score the ball from all over the court and has excellent range on his 3-point shot. If he finds a spot in this Blazers rotation and plays with confidence, he could average around 12-14 points per game and 36 percent from the 3-point line as a rookie.

However, it is unlikely that Trent will be one of the finalists at the year for this award because this rookie class is outstanding and some guys will see starting roles and significant minutes right away like Deandre Ayton, Collin Sexton, Luka Doncic and Trae Young.

Trent has a better chance at making one of the All-NBA Rookie teams and finding himself at All-Star Weekend for the Rising Stars game.

Odds of winning the award: Not likely, but he could be the biggest steal of the draft

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