Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers suddenly have a very different-looking backcourt.
After acquiring Ja Morant from the Grizzlies, Portland now has Morant, Damian Lillard, Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe all needing minutes. Jeremy Brener of SI.com took a look at the new depth chart and noted that something may still have to give.
Lillard and Morant are expected to start, which could push Sharpe into a sixth-man role despite averaging a career-best 20.8 points last season. Henderson, meanwhile, could be another player to watch if Portland looks to balance the roster with more wing help.
The Blazers have talent. The question is whether all the pieces actually fit.
Clippers
The Clippers didn’t just add Rui Hachimura. They also took him away from the Lakers.
Cem Yolbulan of SI.com wrote that Hachimura gives the Clippers a needed power forward after John Collins’ departure, while also weakening a Lakers roster that Luka Doncic reportedly wanted to keep intact.
Hachimura agreed to a two-year, $28 million deal with the Clippers after spending the past several seasons with the Lakers. He brings size, shooting and playoff experience to a Clippers team trying to reshape itself after moving on from Kawhi Leonard.
The Lakers have added several players this offseason, but replacing Hachimura’s shooting and postseason reliability may not be easy.
Wizards
Khris Middleton’s return to Washington isn’t expected to block the Wizards’ young wings.
Henry Brown of SI.com noted that Middleton is coming back more as a veteran depth piece than a central part of the rotation. The Wizards still want major roles for A.J. Dybantsa, Bilal Coulibaly, Kyshawn George and Will Riley.
That makes sense.
Middleton can still help as a shooter, passer and locker-room presence, but Washington didn’t bring him back to take developmental minutes away from its young core.
The Wizards used Middleton as a starter last season in part to rebuild his trade value. This time, his role figures to be much different.
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