NBA Power Rankings: Tiering all 30 projected starting small forwards for 2023-24

20. Shaedon Sharpe, Portland Trail Blazers

As one of the youngest players in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers took a huge gamble when they selected Shaedon Sharpe with their top 10 pick. In fact, looking back, it could be considered at least part of the reason why Damian Lillard wants to be traded. But I suppose that’s a different conversation or another day. After an up-and-down rookie season, there’s reason to believe that Sharpe could be ready for a breakout sophomore campaign in Portland. Especially with Lillard out the door.

During his rookie season, Sharpe averaged 10 points on 47 percent shooting from the field. He’s extremely athletic and has shown the potential to be a consistent 3-point threat as well. As he continues to develop into a three-level scorer on the offensive end, with the ability to be at least a good defender on the other end of the floor, it’s easy to see why Portland is so high on their guards.

If Sharpe doesn’t make the jump to fringe stardom in the next couple of seasons, something when wrong. That’s the amount of talent and high ceiling that Sharpe possesses as a prospect. It’s on Portland to try to get the best out of the 20-year-old.