Shaedon Sharpe-Portland Trail Blazers Agree To $90 Million Contract Extension

Justin Rimpi

The Portland Trail Blazers just dropped some serious cash on Shaedon Sharpe, and honestly? It’s about time someone in “Rip City” made a move that didn’t leave fans scratching their heads.

The 22-year-old guard just inked a four-year, $90 million rookie extension that’ll keep him in Portland through the 2029 season. That’s $22.5 million per year for a kid who’s still figuring out how to legally order a beer in some states. But here’s the thing – this isn’t some desperate Hail Mary by a franchise grasping at straws. This is smart basketball.

Why Sharpe Deserves Every Dollar

Let’s talk numbers, because they don’t lie (unlike that one friend who claims he could’ve gone pro). Last season, Sharpe averaged 18.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting with the kind of confidence that makes veteran players jealous. The kid didn’t just show flashes – he lit up scoreboards like a Christmas tree in Times Square.

But here’s what really gets the blood pumping: Sharpe led Portland in scoring during this preseason with 19.3 points per game. While other guys were shaking off rust and working on their tan lines, Sharpe was out there putting on a clinic. The man’s got that killer instinct you can’t teach, the kind that makes coaches wake up in cold sweats dreaming about what could be.

The Perfect Storm Of Talent and Timing

Remember, this is the same franchise that’s been rebuilding longer than some construction projects in downtown Portland. But Sharpe represents something different – hope wrapped in a 6’6″ frame with springs for legs and a jump shot smoother than a jazz saxophone solo.

The Trail Blazers drafted Sharpe seventh overall in 2022, and while some questioned the pick at the time, those doubters are probably eating crow seasoned with regret right about now. Sometimes you just know when you’ve got something special, like finding a twenty-dollar bill in your old jacket pocket or discovering your local taco truck serves breakfast burritos.

Building Around Young Core Makes Sense

Here’s where it gets interesting – Portland isn’t just throwing money at Sharpe and hoping for the best. They’re building something sustainable. With fellow young gun Toumani Camara also securing a four-year, $82 million extension on the same day, the Blazers are making it crystal clear: the future is now, and it’s wearing red and black.

This isn’t your grandfather’s rebuild strategy of tanking for draft picks and praying to the basketball gods. This is smart asset management that would make even the most cynical Wall Street broker nod in approval.

The Pressure Is Real, But So Is the Potential

Look, $90 million buys a lot of expectations. Sharpe’s going to have every shot, every play, and probably every Instagram post analyzed by fans who’ve endured more disappointing seasons than a Cleveland Browns supporter. But if you’ve watched this kid play, you know he thrives under pressure like a diamond forming under geological stress.

The regular season tips off Wednesday against Minnesota, and you can bet Timberwolves fans will be watching extra closely, wondering what their team could’ve had if they’d made different choices. That’s the beauty of sports – every “what if” creates another storyline worth following.

Justin has been a sportswriter for nearly a decade. He has previously written for 247 Sports an Sports Illustrated.

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