Robert Covington is the Worst Rotation Player in the NBA

Portland Trail Blazers games can be ultra-entertaining due to Damian Lillard (and CJ McCollum when healthy), as well as the occasional Carmelo Anthony throw-back moments. Young Gary Trent Jr. has done an admirable job while filling in for the injured McCollum. However, they can be equally as maddening for one reason - Robert Covington. When Covington was brought in during the off-season, he was expected to be a top-line 3&D player, but has provided neither of those qualities during a truly horrid season. His defense has been subpar throughout the year, as he has continually been the victim of the perimeter blow-by. Below is a great example from this evening's game against the Phoenix Suns

Devin Booker blows by Robert Covington and throws it down 🏃🏽‍♂️💨pic.twitter.com/7yG67fK8RZ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) February 23, 2021

His decision making has been suspect during his career as a whole - he's averaged 1.5 apg through 400+ career games - and he can't seem to make the little plays that his team need in order to product wins. At the end of the 3rd quarter, while trying to inbound the ball with 2 seconds on the clock he inexplicably threw a baseball pass down the court to no one. The error lead to an out-of-bounds 3-pointer at the buzzer by the Suns.

Robert Covington can not pass a fucking ball. Just gave up a cheap end of the quarter 3 cause he can’t pass
— #FireStotts (@YBHouse26) February 23, 2021

There are presently 70 players averaging more than 30 mpg, and Covington at the bottom in many statistical categories. He's 69th in scoring at 7.7 ppg. His 37.1% FG places him 70th. He's 65th in 3P% - only better than Anthony Davis & Deandre Ayton (neither of whom are known for their 3-point prowess), rookie Isaac Okoro, Ben Simmons (makes sense) and Pascal Siakam. According to inpredictable.com he ranks 474th in the NBA in player win probability.

The best part of all this? Covington is making $12.1M this year and set to make $12.9M in 2021-22. Got to love the fact that a player like Covington can make gross sums of money while being unwatchable on a nightly basis.