Rotation

Big win before the break. However, entering the break, this team still has a rotation full of questions. Who is the starting pg? If you start Crawford and Batum, who is providing offense off the bench? Wes can't create his own shot. Felton can create shots but can't finish. This might lead to a bigger role for Elliott Williams except he plays the same position as Wes. There is no back up small forward. Right now Wes comes in for Wallace and Batum slides to SF. What's going on with the power rotation? Smith has seen his minutes dip the last two nights. Someone has to back up LA. Nate needs to be thinking about these questions and decide on a rotation fast. Here is what I suggest.

PG. Start Crawford back up Felton

SG Start Batum back up Wes. Crawford can slide over with Felton in. Williams can play when Wes slides to SF

SF Wallace. Backup Batum when Wes is in. Wes slides over when Williams is in.

PF LA back up Craig Smith. Wallace can slide to PF in small lineups where LA plays C and Felton or Wes comes off the bench. I would like to see more of Luke Babbitt. For his limitations he is as good a rebounder as Craig smith and can space the floor. In the right match up he has value.

C: Camby back up Thomas. Let's hope both stay healthy. If not LA becomes center and it's even more mix and match.

This is a tricky rotation to mange. The team is undersized and most positions are backed up by a guard with several starters playing multiple positions depending on who is in the game. This type of rotation quickly breaks down when injuries or foul trouble play a role. Elliott Williams has played well in a small sample but he is another guard. Also, it's time to evaluate if Babbitt can be helpful as a floor spacing PF. Ideally, we would have seen him in the rotation earlier in order to evaluate whether or not he can be helpful for 15 minutes a night. Nate should insert him into the rotation for the first several games after the break and see if he offers anything. With the trade deadline looming, the time is now to see if he can help Portland or should be flipped for any sort of useful power bench assist from a team willing to take a chance on his youth.