The Portland Trail Blazers have been waiting for Shaedon Sharpe to improve his defense. It's why he was benched last year, and it was also a significant concern after Portland reached a four-year, $90 million extension with Sharpe before the start of the season.
That extension was the Blazers betting on Sharpe to figure out how to make a two-way impact, as the offensive-minded player he was wouldn't be enough to justify that contract. Fortunately, Portland's gamble is already paying off, as Sharpe is finally showing promising signs of improvement.
Shaedon Sharpe's defense proves he belongs in Blazers' core
Last season, Sharpe was Portland's second-worst defender in terms of defensive rating, behind only Anfernee Simons.