Babbitt brings one thing and that's shooting but literally can't do anything else. Claver is a decent shooter but can put the ball on the floor. From what I've read he's an oversized Rudy Fernandez. At nearly 6'10" w/o shoes (6'9.5" to be exact) he's pushing 6'11" w/shoes -- SF or stretch PF? It makes no sense to have both on the roster, one has to go.
I used to think Babbit was absolutely worthless, but now I'd like to give him another year. He could be a very nice role player off the bench. He can shoot, but he's also a good rebounder. He's kinda clumsy looking, but he had nearly a 40 inch vertical.
I think Babbitt has a good Basketball IQ. I like his passing skills. So I would disagree with the "literally nothing else" part. Have we seen Claver play? That makes it hard for me to compare the two when I haven't.
I'd choose Babbitt. We already have given him a guaranteed contract so there is zero additional cost to keep him. That is zero extra cost in Paul Allens cash, cost in cap room or cost in luxury tax. I'd cut Kurt Thomas, Shawne Williams, or even sadly Nolan Smith before I cut Babbitt if we desperately need another roster spot. There are times you need shooters on the floor to create spacing. Babbitt was right up there last season leading the league in 3 point percentage. I'm not sure he ever becomes better then he was last season but even still a situational dead eye shooter can be a very valuable roll player. If Babbitt does continue to improve he could eventually become a valuable offensive weapon off the bench. What would Claver bring to the table if he came over? He is less proven then Babbitt, and at a position the Blazers seem to be strong and deep at. It's a risk that he could contribute as much as Babbitt did last season, and the potential long-term upside is not very high for Claver either. I think Babbitt is more a sure thing and has a higher upside, at least comparatively speaking.
I haven't seen Claver since we drafted him. At that time he was an absolute toothpick. Hopefully, he's filled out a bit.
Babbitt's shooting is greatly overrated. To qualify on the league list of top 3 point shooters, he had about 5 games left to make 3 shots, and he couldn't do it. Under any pressure he's an utter failure as a shooter. This is no Kyle Korver.
I disagree with the assertion that there's no reason to keep both. 15-man roster means 3 at each position. Batum, Babbitt, & Claver makes 3. Considering how thin our roster is, I say there's no reason to cut either.
Babbitt can literally shoot, rebound, dribble and pass a bit, and will only get better. Claver can do all that too, but he's literally more of a tweener than Babbitt.
C Przybilla Freeland Thabeet Leonard PF Aldridge Hickson Thomas, Kurt SF Batum Babbitt Claver Williams, Shawne SG Matthews Williams, Elliot Barton, Will PG Flynn Smith, Nolan Lillard
You have Thabeet, Pryzbilla and Flynn listed on our depth chart? Might as well say we have Felton and Crawford on the roster too.
