Center Hassan Whiteside has never averaged more than one assist in any season but he predicts that will change dramatically in his first season with the Trail Blazers, Jason Quick of The Athletic reports.
“I think I’m going to blossom a lot here,” Whiteside told Quick. “[The Trail Blazers] have so much movement, they have so many different plays and reads, I can probably get a triple-double with assists here. You know, I’ve been getting so many assists and dimes … I’m playing more like a point-center here.”
We have more from the Northwest Division:
- If the Nuggets don’t sign guard Malik Beasley to an extension, they could move him prior to him becoming a restricted free agent, Mike Singer of the Denver Post speculates. Beasley recently hired Rich Paul to represent him and he views himself as a starter but there’s no spot in the lineup for him, Singer continues. If the Nuggets offer Beasley in the $10-11MM annual range and he turns it down, they could theoretically try to trade him for a first-round pick after giving up next June’s first-rounder for Jerami Grant, Singer adds.
- With Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on the roster, Dennis Schroder‘s playing time would seemingly take a hit. Thunder GM Sam Presti insists that’s not the case, as he detailed to Erik Horne of The Oklahoman. “There probably will be some discovery with how we see the team develop over the course of time, and (coach) Billy (Donovan) has got to make sure that the team is growing through the season and not just staying fixated because that’s how we started. And Dennis will be a huge … part of the team. He’s just that talented.”
- Point guard Mike Scott had reportedly agreed to a one-year contract with the Jazz but he was not listed on the training camp roster that the club released on Friday. Scott, not to be confused with the Sixers forward who shares the same name, has spent the last four seasons overseas after coming out of Idaho in 2015. It’s still possible that Scott could be added, though the Jazz would have to drop someone from the 20-man roster.
There will be plenty of minutes for Schroder when CP3 is injured.
Obviously the Thunder are building for the future with all there picks they hold and the talent they let leave but why say so and so is not available and is apart of the team. Everyone on the roster not named SGA should be available for trade with the idea of gaining more picks of more young prospects.
Steven Adams, Danilo Gallinari and Denis Schroder hold good amounts of value. CP3, Roberson and Noel also hold some value. In terms of looking to trade players I would start by trying to get rid of the players on 1 year deals because the longer you wait on them the less value they have unless it’s Gallo because competing teams will offer you a good package at the deadline for him if someone needs him.
Schroder and Roberson would be the guys Id be trying to get rid of first for next to anything.
Can’t wait to see the “new” point-center Whiteside. He was always underused & undervalued in Miami.
If he gets a triple-double it will be with blocks, not assists.
Mike Scott, also not to be confused with the great Astros pitcher from the 80s with the most dominant splitter in MLB history. He also loved sandpaper and always carried some in his back pocket during games.
Rofl Whiteside passing the ball is a historical moment when you see it. He’s talking a lot this offseason. Look, I hope he comes to play. If he does, he is a game changer, but he just doesn’t pay attention to important details, and doesn’t bring that consistent effort, and first time he doesnt set a screen for Lillard or McCollum, or first time he actually does and they pull up from 27 feet, there is going to be a problem. He also is a much better fit off the bench, which I had been saying for 3 years, and it showed when he moved there during the season. Zach Collins should start over him