Is the Lack of Volume Off-Ball Shooters Portland’s Weak Link?

With the NBA Draft and NBA Free Agency just around the corner, the Trail Blazers have gaps they could look to fill through those two avenues. Dan Favale of Bleacher Report broke down every NBA team’s weakest link, and he concluded that Portland should set their sights on a volume three-point shooter who doesn’t need the ball in his hands to get himself a shot.

Portland needs complementary marksmen who beg its three-point volume to increase and diminish its dependence on off-the-bounce creation. Houston was the only team to take a larger share of its looks when using seven or more dribbles.

Favale acknowledges that Al-Farouq Aminu and Maurice Harkless are decent three-point shooters, especially when playing together. However, Harkless only attempted two three-point shots per game during the regular season and Aminu took 4.9 (tied for 67th in the league). Without the threat of a volume catch-and-shoot player, teams crowd guards Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum and leave other shooters open.

Aminu is a roller coaster from beyond the arc, and defenses will live with Harkless draining 41.5 percent of his triples when he’s ninth on the team in attempts per 36 minutes.

Only two wing players shooting above 36 percent from three on a combined 6.9 attempts per game is simply not enough for a team looking to make a playoff run.

Who are some veterans or late first-round prospects who could bring this skill set? Let us know in the comments.