4 ways Kent Bazemore improves the Portland Trail Blazers

3. Scoring ability

It may not look like it entirely, but Bazemore can score the ball in a variety of ways at all three levels. He has no issue getting to the basket for a layup or dunk, can score in the mid-range, hits free throws and knocks down shots from deep.

Portland needed to add more players that could put pressure on the opposing team’s defenses. Unlike Turner, Bazemore is a threat on or off the ball and provides the Blazers with another scoring option on the wing.

Bazemore can create offense for himself and his teammates. He has a good handle for the ball and that allows him to get enough space to get his shot off and can score off the dribble. He is also a smart passer, so when teams start playing him tighter, he can find open teammates.

Alongside Lillard, McCollum or Jusuf Nurkic, Bazemore will probably be more of a third or fourth scoring option and should see easier defenders as teams put better defenders on the Blazers’ stars. Bazemore should be a better option alongside those guys than Turner was, or Maurice Harkless is.

In the second unit, Bazemore will have more freedom and opportunities to put up points as one of the primary guys. This team is probably one of the more talented ones he has been on and won’t be asked to carry a large load on offense.