Strong showings by Trendon Watford and Jabari Walker in the Las Vegas Summer League may have eased any concerns the Trail Blazers have about front court depth, writes Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian.
Watford, who signed a two-way contract with Portland last summer and was converted to a standard deal in February, was outstanding late in the season when injuries to teammates pushed him into a more prominent role. He remained productive in Las Vegas, averaging 13.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.0 blocks per game as the Blazers captured the Summer League title.
Walker didn’t have flashy statistics in Vegas, but he showed he can be a valuable role player, Fentress states. Walker rebounded, played defense, set screens and did other things that will be necessary for him to earn consistent minutes in the NBA.
There’s more from the Northwest Division:
- Trail Blazers shooting guard Keon Johnson also stood out during Summer League, Fentress adds. Johnson, who was acquired from the Clippers in February, looked like a former first-round pick, leading Portland’s squad in scoring at 14.2 PPG. Fentress doesn’t expect Johnson to be part of the rotation this season, barring injuries, but said he could see spot duty.
- Although Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has found a new home with the Nuggets, who gave him a two-year extension last week, he didn’t expect to be traded by the Wizards, per Mike Singer of The Denver Post. It marked the second straight offseason that Caldwell-Pope has been part of a significant trade. “My initial reaction was surprise because what me and my team and the Washington Wizards was talking about and communicating was different,” he said. “It was a surprise.”
- Andy Larsen of The Salt Lake Tribune examines what the Jazz can expect from Leandro Bolmaro, who was part of the return in the Rudy Gobert trade. Bolmero, a 21-year-old swingman, is a 2020 first-round pick who made his NBA debut last season with the Timberwolves. Larsen notes that Bolmaro is an outstanding defender and a capable rebounder and playmaker, but there are questions about his ability to score.
I feel like Portland is going to move 1 or 2 of Winslow, Little, Brown, Watford, Walker, especially with Grant also there. A lot of redundancies there at the 4, although Winslow and Little can play other positions, and Grant obviously can help at the 5 as well
I actually think Johnson will get minutes at guard. That’s 1 of the reasons they got rid of Bledsoe, and is a position of need for them, unless they use Winslow there more, which kind of seems likely with the way their roster currently looks
Bolmero has a nice change of speed. He can break through double-teams pretty well. Can get to the basket when he wants. Just need to work on his touch around the basket. I’d use a finger roll or aim lower on the backboard square.
I’m sure part of that was nerves. He also just got traded. I’m sure he felt double pressure to prove his worth. He’s still very young so he definitely has potential to be solid.