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Are the Portland Trailblazers wasting Damian Lillard’s prime?

By Thomas J. Brown

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 23: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrates as he points to his wrist after scoring a three-pot basket in the closing seconds of the game against Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on October 23, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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.(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 23: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrates as he points to his wrist after scoring a three-pot basket in the closing seconds of the game against Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on October 23, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. 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.(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /
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Jerami Grant, Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Jerami Grant, Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports /

Contributions from teammates

Although Damian Lillard is the only All-Star on Portland’s roster, he is not the only high-level contributor. The Western Conference standings have been fluctuating all season; the team only has two more losses than the Dallas Mavericks who would be in the playoffs without having to participate in the play-in tournament if the postseason started today. One significant win streak before the end of the season could place the Blazers firmly in the playoffs.

One of the most consistent players on the team this season has been Jerami Grant, who is averaging 20.8 points per game while shooting 40.4 percent from 3-point land. This is high-level production from a player who has embraced his role as a stretch four while maintaining the defensive versatility to switch out on quick perimeter players when called upon. The team also features 23-year-old shooting guard Anfernee Simons, who is averaging 21.1 points per game and is poised to become one of the best perimeter scorers in the league. Just before the trade deadline, the team acquired 23-year-old forward Cam Reddish in a trade with the New York Knicks. He is a promising outside shooter and a potentially versatile perimeter defender.

Grant, Simons, and Reddish are a trio of talented young players that complement Dame Lillard nicely. He will be their go-to guy and franchise player for the foreseeable future, but these three players give the team additional options when they need made baskets. Jusuf Nurkic has had his share of injury woes over the last few seasons, but he is among the best Centers in the league when healthy. Although the current roster isn’t ready to contend for a title, Portland has constructed a team that can give any Western Conference team a scare in a seven-game series if they qualify for the playoffs.