The Portland Trail Blazers are fighting to improve their record for a playoff push. They have done well to win games under Tiago Splitter’s system. However, the Blazers’ shooting remains a major problem the team must address.
The Trail Blazers’ Shooting Issues Are Still A Massive Problem
The Portland Trail Blazers were once known as an offensive powerhouse. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum led the charge, as their skill sets made them tough to defend. The combination of elite shot-making and leadership helped the Blazers become a top offense.
This current Trail Blazers team is struggling offensively, especially with its three-point shooting. The Blazers do have some reliable shooters on the roster, like Jerami Grant and Vit Krejci. However, it has not translated to their numbers, as they are shooting a league-low 34% from beyond the arc despite taking 42.1 threes per game.
The Blazers’ Shooting Is A Long-Term Issue
This season, Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe are the team’s best players. While they are talented, they are not the most prolific shooters. They do most of their damage in the paint, as they are both excellent slashers.
Thankfully, Sharpe has a decent in-between game, thriving with his mid-range shots. Unfortunately, relying on both of these players means there is a lack of efficient three-point shooting in Portland. They should naturally lead to a drive-and-kick offense, but the Blazers lack the high-level shooters.
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— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) January 14, 2026
Getting Krejci was a good move to resolve this, but he is not enough. They need more shooters, just like what the Los Angeles Lakers have done. Not only do they have Rui Hachimura, but they also have Luke Kennard. Having Grant and Krejci is a positive, but they need more shooters beyond that duo.
Splitter’s System Needs A Boost On Offense
Throughout the season, the Blazers have won games in a variety of ways. Most of the time, they win close games, which don’t usually need a barrage of three-pointers. When they win blowouts, those are the rare instances when the Blazers are making their threes.
Across their wins, they often have decent shooting nights with good performances across the board. Donovan Clingan is always reliable for Portland because he puts up solid numbers. He tends to get a lot of offensive rebounds, which mostly come from missed threes.
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— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) March 19, 2026
Clingan can still dominate the boards without the missed three-pointers. The Blazers’ offense would be much better if they consistently made their shots. That could be the difference-maker for them in the Western Conference. It has become a problem for Portland over the years, which may disappear when Damian Lillard returns.
Unfortunately, Lillard will only come back in the 2026-27 season, leaving the poor shooting to continue. Thankfully, there are some promising signs, like Toumani Camara‘s recent improvements. The Belgian has been fantastic recently, and he has improved Portland’s ceiling.
More Talented Players Can Solve Any Portland Problem
The solution to Portland’s offensive issues boils down to the team’s talent. While they have a good roster, it is not as talented as other teams in the West. They don’t have an abundance of players who can get 30 points every night like the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Avdija and Sharpe can get that level of production consistently. Scoot Henderson can do the same, but he is still struggling with his consistency. Moving forward, the Blazers can use the offseason to find more talented players for Splitter’s system.
Equipped with the Milwaukee Bucks’ future draft picks, the possibilities are endless for the Blazers. Finding the best trade can also solve the team’s shooting woes. As long as general manager Joe Cronin is finding solutions, the Blazers can be a top team.
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