Andrew Schlecht, Alex Speers, and Fred Katz recently discussed which teams and players are under the most pressure heading into the 2025-26 NBA season on The Athletic NBA Daily podcast. Portland Trail Blazers high-flyer Shaedon Sharpe was identified as one of the young players already entering a make-or-break season.
"He's clearly a talented player, but it's unclear exactly how valuable a player he's going to be, which is a big reason why he hasn't gotten extended yet. And this season is setting up as the defining season of his young career," Speers said.
Shaedon Sharpe faces make-or-break season with Blazers
With Damian Lillard expected to miss all of 2025-26 as he continues rehabbing from a torn Achilles and Anfernee Simons landing with the Boston Celtics, the Blazers have cleared the runway for their up-and-coming guards, Scoot Henderson and Sharpe.