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Louisville basketball: Former Cards competing for roster spots in Summer League

By Presley Meyer

SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 16: Ray Spalding #13 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball in the second half of a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion on January 16, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Louisville won 82-78 in double overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - JANUARY 16: Ray Spalding #13 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots the ball in the second half of a game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Purcell Pavilion on January 16, 2018 in South Bend, Indiana. Louisville won 82-78 in double overtime. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 27: Trey Lewis #3 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots between James Palmer #12 and Ivan Cruz Uceda #33 of the Miami Hurricanes during the game at the BankUnited Center on February 27, 2016 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – FEBRUARY 27: Trey Lewis #3 of the Louisville Cardinals shoots between James Palmer #12 and Ivan Cruz Uceda #33 of the Miami Hurricanes during the game at the BankUnited Center on February 27, 2016 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rob Foldy/Getty Images) /

Trey Lewis- Portland

Trey Lewis is an intriguing player because it seems like if he could do one more thing really well, he could be a specialist somewhere in the NBA.

In 2018, Lewis made the Utah Jazz Summer League roster and looked solid, then averaged 12.6 points and 2.4 assists per game for the Jazz G League affiliate. He seemed destined for a roster spot, or at least a two-way contract before an unfortunate injury sidelined him and his NBA dreams.

Now, a year after impressing for the Jazz, Lewis is back with the Portland Trailblazers, a team with some real talent at the point guard position. The Blazers have All-Star Damian Lillard and rising star/ former Louisville commit Anfernee Simons locking down the point guard rotation. However, Lewis should be more concerned about trying to grab a two-way deal with the Blazers in hopes of getting called up in a situation where the Blazers guards are not able to go.

Lewis reminds me of a Raul Neto of the Utah Jazz, who isn’t a freak athlete or a big-time scorer, but was able to provide consistency and level-headedness for a long enough period of time that he warranted earning a roster spot.

Lewis needs to do enough just to warrant consideration for a second look in the G League. The Blazers are already invested in Simons and Gary Trent Jr. provides a lot of upside as a potential combo guard earning some minutes in the rotation. If Lewis can potentially plant a seed as a consistent guy who brings value to the organization, there’s potential there for a two-way contract with a chance of getting his foot in the door when pieces have to be moved in the coming years.

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