The Portland Trail Blazers Summer League team is in action as of Thursday, with their first pick Shaedon Sharpe and 57th overall selection Jabari Parker both on the roster. The organization has done a fantastic job of adding pieces around Damian Lillard early on in free agency too, signing Gary Payton II, retaining Anfernee Simons and Jusuf Nurkic, and even trading for Jerami Grant.
However, there is always the possibility that a couple of these players from Summer League turn out to have a substantial role with the Blazers by the time October rolls around.
Here are 2 major reasons Portland fans should be pumped about Vegas.
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2 major reasons Blazers fans should be hyped for 2022 NBA Summer League
Shaedon Sharpe has serious potential
The seventh overall pick in the NBA Draft, Sharpe didn't play a single minute for Kentucky in his freshman year. But, he still had scouts flocking to Lexington. Sharpe is an elite athlete and has serious potential. At 6 foot 6 and 200 pounds, Sharpe possesses a 7-foot wingspan and could immediately slot in as a key piece off the bench behind Anfernee Simons next season. Yes, he didn't exactly get to face elite competition in college, but the Canadian guard can flat-out ball.
He's a fast-twitch athlete with very impressive hops, showing the ability to rise above and throw down dunks. Sharpe loves to get downhill and attack and can finish with either hand with ease. Heading into the Summer League, he'll get lots of opportunities to put his talent on full display for the Blazers. It could take Sharpe some time to turn into a legitimate player at the NBA level, but he's got the skill set on both ends of the floor to make an impact.
Article Continues BelowHe is 100% the main reason Blazers fans should be tuning into the Summer League in Las Vegas.
Luka Garza
This one might seem like a stretch to some. Luka Garza was cut by the Detroit Pistons last week after just one season and the Blazers ultimately decided to put him on their Summer League roster. There are zero guarantees he'll even make the cut with Chauncey Billups's group. However, Garza is the only true center on Portland's SL squad and should get the opportunity to showcase what he can do.
The Blazers don't have much depth behind Jusuf Nurkic at the five. Garza only played around 12 minutes per game last season in 32 appearances for the Pistons, but he did average over 20 points and nine rebounds per night in the G-League.
This is a player who was one of the most dominant bigs in the nation during his time with the Iowa Hawkeyes. After all, Garza did win the 2021 Naismith Trophy, awarded to the best player in college hoops. He's yet to really find his footing in the Association but his big body, scoring abilities around the hoop, and presence down low may prove to be key for the Blazers.
It's likely he ends up on a two-way deal with Portland if they keep him around, but Garza has the potential to show the Blazers front office that he can carve out a role at the Moda Center. He's going to get heavy minutes in Vegas and we'll see if he can make the most of them. Garza's first game with Portland will be against none other than his former team, the Pistons, on Thursday.