NBA Training Camp 2014: How does Diante Garrett fit with Portland Trail Blazers?
By Doug Winkey
It was recently announced that former Utah Jazz and Iowa State point guard Diante Garrett has signed with the Portland Trail Blazers for training camp.
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Garrett himself posted #PortlandTrailBlazers #RIPCity on Twitter just before 5:00 PM Monday evening. Our readers will remember our story detailing Garrett’s trade from the Jazz to the Toronto Raptors and subsequent release as part of the organization’s planned salary strategy. Prior to that, he played in 71 games for the Jazz averaging 3.5 ppg and 1.7 apg while playing just under 15 mpg.
Let us quickly breakdown his potential fit in Portland. He has the chance to become the legitimate second PG on the roster behind Damian Lillard. He will be competing with Steve Blake for the spot, and while Blake figures to have the edge in shooting prowess and experience, he is also 34 years old.
Garrett is still only 25 and brings decent size (6-foot-4) to a team still sorely in need of quality depth behind the starting five. Even if he doesn’t beat out Blake, but stays on the team, he would have his rights controlled by the Trail Blazers for the next two years unless he is waived.
The Trail Blazers had one of the highest usage starting units in the NBA last season, so there is reason to be optimistic that Garrett will have a chance to step in on occasion and prevent some of the starters from logging the same minutes as before.
We will hopefully have more to report on the story as we get closer to the start of NBA action, so stay tuned to Clones Confidential for all your former Cyclone news.