170 million in the game! The Trail Blazers made a big gamble! Did they make the wrong choice?

It’s surprising that a rebuilding team that was in ruins just gave away 170 million.

They did not pursue big-name stars. Instead, they just bet on two young cores and a development league dark horse.

Is this move by the Trail Blazers just a big gamble? Or is it the long-term layout for the future?

The first one comes from Seldon Sharp.

According to reports, the Trail Blazers offered him a four-year, 90 million contract extension. As the No. 7 pick in the first round in 2022, his rookie contract has not yet expired. The team immediately offered a near-maximum salary contract, which is enough to show that the Trail Blazers recognize his future potential.

The second place is young striker Kamara.

As an undrafted player, he unexpectedly received a four-year, 82 million long-term contract, and successfully extended his cooperation with the team to the 2029-30 season. Last season, he was selected to the second team of the All-Defensive Team, breaking the Blazers' desert record of missing the All-Defensive Team since the 2003-04 season. In addition to honors, individual statistics are also quite impressive. He ranks ninth in the league in steals. He has 100 steals and 50 blocks in a single season, ranking one of seven in the league.

The last signing came from Javonte Cook, and the Trail Blazers offered him a two-way contract.

As an undrafted small guard in 2023, he played for the Thunder Development League affiliated team last season, playing in 31 games, averaging 16.6 points, 5 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. At this stage, Cook's value may not have much impact in the short term, but it can be regarded as an insurance link prepared in advance for the rotation lineup.

After this level of signing, the Trail Blazers' 18-man roster for the new season is basically finalized:

Wesley, Sharp, Avdija, Thybulle, Lowe, Grant;

Lillard, Holiday, Love, Klingen, Reese, Yang Hansen;

Kamara, Sissoko, Henderson, Rupert, Murray, Cook;

15 standard contracts + 3 two-way contracts. The total salary of the team in the new season has reached 177 million. The core framework has officially become younger. 22-year-old Sharp, 21-year-old Klingen and Henderson, 25-year-old Kamara, 24-year-old Avdija, and 20-year-old Yang Hansen. The average age is less than 23 years old. The future potential of this young core is already quite promising.

For the young lineup, the advantages mainly lie in the large space for future growth, strong offensive and defensive impact, and the core players can grow steadily and run into the system; but the disadvantages and shortcomings are also obvious. Young players lack playoff experience, and the health risks of talent-based play are also high.

As of now, Sharp has had two surgeries on his left shoulder and only played 32 games due to injuries in the second season; Henderson will also be injured and miss the beginning of the new season; this group of young players may need to wait until the middle and late stages of the new season to get used to it.

Taken together, the Blazers' operating logic can be simply summarized in three points:

Lock the defensive core, retain potential scorers, and supplement depth at a low cost.

From a short-term perspective, successful integration in the new season will have a chance to impact the play-off hopes; and from a long-term perspective, if these young people can grow up healthily, they will have a chance to build a stable system in the next 3-5 years.

Looking at the new season of the Trail Blazers, this core team may have many goals to complete:

Can Sharp improve its three-point shooting percentage, reduce injuries, and realize its potential?

Can Kamara stabilize the defensive efficiency and even drive the whole team?

Can Henderson, who has returned from injury, team up with Sharp to create an efficient backcourt chemistry?

The answers to these questions are likely to directly determine the success or failure of the Blazers' young gamble. Whether the counterattack will be successful or in vain is still a big question mark.

The competition in the Western Conference is still fierce in the new season. Whether the Trail Blazers can reach the playoff threshold is also the biggest dark horse suspense.