Shaedon Sharpe Is Emerging as the Perfect Running Mate for Deni Avdija - and That Could Change Portland’s Trade Deadline Plans
The NBA trade season is officially underway, and as front offices across the league begin to circle the waters, the Portland Trail Blazers find themselves in a unique position. After four straight seasons without a playoff appearance, there's pressure to make a move. But thanks to the rise of Deni Avdija and the recent surge from Shaedon Sharpe, Portland might already have the foundation of something special - and that could impact how aggressive they need to be at the deadline.
Let’s start with Sharpe, because he’s the one turning heads right now. In Portland’s recent 136-131 win over the Golden State Warriors - a game that saw Stephen Curry go full flamethrower mode with 48 points - Sharpe didn’t just hold his own.
He delivered a statement. The 22-year-old put up 35 points, dished out four assists, and knocked down five of his seven three-point attempts, matching Curry bucket-for-bucket at times in what turned into a thrilling shootout.
That performance didn’t come out of nowhere. While Sharpe’s season has had its fair share of ups and downs - especially from deep, where he's shooting a career-low 28.3% from three - he’s flipped the switch in December.
Over the last few weeks, he’s connected on 41.7% of his shots from beyond the arc, and it’s not just the numbers that are encouraging. The form looks better.
There’s more arc, more confidence, and fewer forced shots. It’s the kind of development you want to see from a young player who’s clearly figuring things out on the fly.
It’s also worth noting that Sharpe was battling a right calf strain earlier in the season, which may have played a role in his early struggles. Now healthy, he's moving better, elevating more fluidly, and showing signs that his shooting woes may have been more about timing and rhythm than mechanics.
If he can even become a league-average three-point shooter - and all signs point to that being well within reach - Sharpe becomes a legitimate long-term co-star next to Avdija. That’s a big deal for a franchise that’s been searching for its next foundational duo since the Damian Lillard era started winding down.
Avdija, for his part, has been playing at a level that’s starting to draw All-Star buzz. He’s become the physical, versatile forward Portland hoped he’d be, and with Sharpe now stepping up as a dynamic scorer and high-usage creator, the Blazers suddenly have a young one-two punch that’s giving defenses fits.
The numbers back it up. Sharpe leads the team in usage rate at 31.3%, with Avdija right behind at 27.8%.
These two are doing more than just scoring - they’re initiating the offense, setting the tone, and forcing opposing teams to pick their poison. Sharpe brings elite athleticism and shot-making ability, while Avdija offers size, strength, and a growing offensive toolkit.
Together, they’re starting to look like the kind of tandem that could anchor Portland’s rebuild for years to come.
Of course, consistency is still the next step for Sharpe. One great game against the Warriors doesn’t erase the early-season struggles. But it does show what’s possible - and more importantly, it suggests that the Blazers’ patient approach might be paying off.
This past offseason, Portland made a conscious decision to lean into youth. They moved on from veterans like Anfernee Simons and Deandre Ayton, and they’ve prioritized development over short-term fixes.
That strategy is beginning to bear fruit. As the roster slowly gets healthier and the young core gains experience, the vision is starting to take shape.
So where does that leave Portland ahead of the February trade deadline?
Well, they’re still in the market. Shooting remains a need, and if the right opportunity comes along, the Blazers shouldn’t hesitate to improve the roster.
But they’re no longer in a position where they have to force a blockbuster deal to stay afloat. Sharpe’s emergence gives them breathing room - and maybe even a little leverage.
Instead of chasing a star out of desperation, Portland can be selective. They can focus on complementary pieces, knowing that their two most important building blocks are already in place. And if Sharpe continues on this trajectory, the Blazers may not need to look outside the organization for their next big thing - because he’s already wearing their jersey.
The rebuild isn’t over, but it’s starting to look a lot more promising. And if Sharpe keeps playing like this, Portland’s future might be arriving sooner than expected.