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Emoni Bates Donovan Clingan drops another summer double-double
Fri, Jul 19, 2024, 7:08 PM
Donovan Clingan finished Friday's 84-66 loss to Charlotte with 16 points (7-of-13 FGs), 12 rebounds, two steals, four blocks, and two 3-pointers in 24 minutes.
Analysis: Not needing to attempt many perimeter shots during his two seasons at UConn, Clingan has been given the leeway to take those shots in summer league. On Friday, seven of his 13 field goal attempts came from beyond the arc, and the 7-foot-2 center was one of two Blazers (Olivier Nkamhoua) to hit multiple 3-pointers. Spending more time on the perimeter did not detract from Clingan's production in other areas, as he was dominant on the boards while recording six âstocks.â He should be one of the first rookies off of boards in drafts, and Portland moving Robert Williams III (or Deandre Ayton) would raise Clingan's fantasy ceiling even higher. |
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Emoni Bates Donovan Clingan racks up 11 rebounds, three blocks
Mon, Jul 15, 2024, 4:34 PM
Donovan Clingan finished Monday's 97-95 win over the 76ers with eight points (4-of-11 FGs), 11 rebounds, five assists, and three blocked shots in 25 minutes.
Analysis: While the scoring remains a work in progress, Clingan was again impactful as a rebounder and shot-blocker. He hit double digits in rebounds for the second consecutive summer league game, and he's up to eight blocked shots in Las Vegas. A welcome bonus on Monday was Clingan's work as a facilitator, dishing out five assists on the night. Clingan's fantasy value as a rookie would increase if he could occasionally serve as a playmaker within Portland's offense. |
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Kris Murray Kris Murray scores nine points in summer opener
Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 5:15 PM
Kris Murray tallied nine points (4-of-9 FGs), two rebounds, two assists, one block, and one 3-pointer in 33 minutes in Saturday's loss to the Spurs.
Analysis: While he did appear in 62 games as a rookie (29 starts), Murray was not a factor in fantasy until the Blazers pulled the plug late in the season. This summer is about putting himself in a position where he can earn consistent rotation minutes in training camp. Murray was solid on Saturday night, laying a solid foundation for the next week-plus in Las Vegas. The best path to consistent rotation minutes would be for Portland to move Jerami Grant, but that does not appear in the cards right now. |
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Rayan Rupert Rayan Rupert records 13/6/5/2 line vs. San Antonio
Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 5:11 PM
Rayan Rupert finished Saturday's loss to the Spurs with 13 points (6-of-11 FGs), six rebounds, five assists, two steals, and one 3-pointer in 33 minutes.
Analysis: Rupert, who took on a limited role within the Blazers' rotation late last season, shot the ball well in Saturday's defeat. While he was also responsible for five turnovers, the second-year wing played with an aggressiveness rarely present during his rookie campaign. Rupert isn't a lock to be in a position to offer consistent fantasy value in 2024-25, but he's worth keeping an eye on for the remainder of the summer. |
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Emoni Bates Donovan Clingan tallies 13 rebounds, five blocks
Sat, Jul 13, 2024, 5:07 PM
Donovan Clingan accumulated four points (1-of-8 FGs, 2-of-4 FTs), 13 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and five blocked shots in 27 minutes in Saturday's 83-77 loss to San Antonio.
Analysis: Making his summer debut, Clingan struggled with his shot on Saturday. However, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups and team decision-makers had to be pleased with the rookie's performance as a rebounder and shot-blocker. Clingan led all players in rebounds, blocked shots, and threw in a steal for good measure. Five of his eight field goal attempts came from beyond the arc, a departure from what Clingan did offensive during his time at UConn. Clingan's fantasy value would be significantly boosted if he could become a credible pick-and-pop option while continuing to produce as a rebounder and defender. |
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Justin Minaya Woj: Justin Minaya returns to Portland on two-way
Mon, Jul 1, 2024, 4:29 AM
Adrian Wojnarowski on X
Justin Minaya is returning to Portland on a two-way contract, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Analysis: Minaya has suited up in 38 games for the Blazers over the last two seasons. He'll be back with them next year, but he will likely once again spend the majority of his team in Rip City, which means this won't have much not an impact in fantasy. |
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Dalano Banton Woj: Blazers pick up Dalano Banton's team option
Sat, Jun 29, 2024, 5:05 AM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Trail Blazers have picked up Dalano Banton's team option for next season.
Analysis: Acquired from the Celtics at the February trade deadline (Boston received a trade exception), Banton's play was one of the few positives for the Trail Blazers last season. In his 30 games with Portland, the 2021 second-round pick averaged 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.9 steals, 0.6 blocks, and 1.9 3-pointers in 29.2 minutes. It should be noted that, by that point in the season, Portland had been decimated by injuries, freeing up additional minutes for Banton. Regardless of how the opportunities came about, he did enough with them to get his contract guaranteed for next season. |
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Emoni Bates Portland selects Donovan Clingan seventh overall
Wed, Jun 26, 2024, 7:52 PM
The Portland Trail Blazers selected Donovan Clingan with the seventh pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Analysis: After winning a national championship with UConn as a freshman, Clingan decided to run things back before entering the NBA draft. That resulted in another ring for him, and he became one of the top prospects for many teams. He averaged 13.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 2.5 blocks in just 22.5 minutes per game this past season, which were significant improvements after he played just 13.1 minutes per game as a freshman. Clingan measured in at nearly 7'2â at the combine, and he should be able to contribute on the defensive end immediately as a bigger body that can provide a different look to slow down some of the league's elite centers. Portland has two centers under contract, Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams, so the Clingan selection may mean one (or both) of those veterans is on the way out. If that happens, the former UConn standout will have value in redraft leagues; both staying would make Clingan more of an option in dynasty leagues. |
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Deni Avdija Deni Avdija headed to Portland for Brogdon, picks
Wed, Jun 26, 2024, 5:51 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski on X
Deni Avdija has been traded to Portland for Malcolm Brogdon, pick 14 and a 2029 draft pick, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Analysis: After having the best season of his career in year four with the Wizards, Avdija will get a fresh start with the Trail Blazers. This certainly makes Portland's wing rotation interesting, with Avdija, Shaedon Sharpe, Jerami Grant and Matisse Thybulle all fighting for minutes. Brogdon's departure leaves Scoot Henderson as the only point guard option, which bodes well for him heading into year two. In Washington, Tyus Jones is now more expendable with Brogdon in town, which means that he may end up signing elsewhere. Bilal Coulibaly and Corey Kispert should both take on extra minutes next season, though it wouldn't be shocking if the Wizards added another forward with one of their three first round picks. |
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Kris Murray Kris Murray hauls in career-high 18 rebounds
Sun, Apr 14, 2024, 12:26 PM
Kris Murray dominated the glass on Sunday and finished with nine points (3-of-15 FGs), 18 rebounds, one steal, one block and one triple against the Kings.
Analysis: It wasn't a great shooting night for the rookie, but he was able to set a new career-high for rebounds in this game. It was likely frustrating for him to have such a poor performance from the field against his brother's team, but he didn't allow that to impact his effort on the glass, which is encouraging for his long-term development. He should be a solid rotation piece for them in year two, though he isn't a player to have on your draft board at this point. |
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Dalano Banton Dalano Banton shoots 6-of-26 before ejection
Sun, Apr 14, 2024, 12:23 PM
Dalano Banton struggled with his shot on Sunday and finished with 17 points (6-of-26 FGs), three rebounds, seven assists, three steals and five turnovers in a 121-82 loss to Sacramento.
Analysis: Banton moved into the starting unit in place of Scoot Henderson, who sat out the finale. Banton has played really well over the past two months, but he couldn't get anything going in this game. He missed all 15 of his shots from beyond the arc before he was ejected after picking up a Flagrant 2. It has been an excellent stretch for Banton, and this certainly isn't the way that he wanted to end the season. Portland can still exercise his option and retain him for about $2 million next season, so he wasn't fighting for a pay day. |
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Dalano Banton POR starting Banton, Rupert, Minaya, Murray, Brown
Sun, Apr 14, 2024, 9:10 AM
NBA Lineups
Dalano Banton, Rayan Rupert, Justin Minaya, Kris Murray, and Moses Brown will start Sunday's game against the Kings.
Analysis: The Trail Blazers' season comes to a merciful conclusion on Sunday, and only Rupert and Murray have been consistent members of the starting lineup recently. Banton offers the highest upside, while Brown receiving the starting nod is disappointing for those hoping to see Duop Reath in that spot. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton, Jabari Walker out Sunday vs. Kings
Sun, Apr 14, 2024, 8:29 AM
Trail Blazers PR on Twitter
Deandre Ayton (low back soreness) and Jabari Walker (left knee tendinitis) are out for Sunday's game against the Kings.
Analysis: Ayton and Walker exited Friday's game prematurely, which will be their last action of the season. Duop Reath, Kris Murray, Dalano Banton, and Justin Minaya are among those who can absorb those minutes. Ayton entered the season with top-50 fantasy expectations and largely lived up to them, even if the production did not translate into winning. As for Walker, his value did not increase until after the Blazers were hit hard by injuries. |
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Scoot Henderson Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons ruled out vs. SAC
Sun, Apr 14, 2024, 8:28 AM
Portland Trail Blazers PR on X
Scoot Henderson (left hip soreness) and Anfernee Simons (left knee tendinitis) will not play against the Kings on Sunday.
Analysis: It's unclear why they upgraded Simons to doubtful, but he has officially been ruled out and has been sidelined since March 22nd. Henderson's rookie season comes to an end one game early, and while it has been a disappointing season overall, he has ended the year on a high note. Scoot will have high expectations in year two. Dalano Banton should start in his place for this game. |
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Anfernee Simons Anfernee Simons, Jabari Walker doubtful vs. Kings
Sat, Apr 13, 2024, 2:15 PM
Portland Trail Blazers PR on X
Anfernee Simons (left knee tendinitis) and Jabari Walker (left knee tendinitis) are doubtful to play against Sacramento on Sunday.
Analysis: It's unclear why Portland is wasting anybody's time by upgrading Simons to doubtful, since he hasn't played in weeks and that won't change for the season finale. Walker exited early from their last game, and Justin Minaya should see extra minutes with Walker sidelined for this one. |
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Scoot Henderson Scoot Henderson, Deandre Ayton questionable Sunday
Sat, Apr 13, 2024, 2:13 PM
Portland Trail Blazers PR on X
Scoot Henderson (left hip soreness) and Deandre Ayton (low back soreness) are questionable to play against the Kings on Sunday.
Analysis: These two have been the stars for Portland over the past couple of weeks, since every other rotation player has been injured. If Scoot sits out, Dalano Banton should move into the starting unit in his place. Ayton exited early from their last one, and if he remains out for the season finale, Duop Reath will start in his place. |
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Dalano Banton Dalano Banton turns in 28/10/3/1/2 line vs. HOU
Fri, Apr 12, 2024, 6:48 PM
Dalano Banton recorded a double-double on Friday with 28 points (9-of-26 FGs), 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal, two blocks and two triples against Houston.
Analysis: Banton stepped into a larger role for Portland after the trade deadline, and he has had a number of big performances. This was just another on the list as he had his second 20-point double-double in less than a month. Banton has shown enough to potentially be a rotation piece next season, but he won't play a large enough role to produce to the level that he has over the past two months. It has been a fun run for Banton, and while he could be a silly season target again next season, there is no reason to have him on your draft board. |
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Scoot Henderson Scoot Henderson knocks down career-high 6 triples
Fri, Apr 12, 2024, 6:44 PM
Scoot Henderson led Portland with 30 points (10-of-23 FGs), five rebounds, seven assists, one steal, one block and six triples in a 116-107 loss to the Rockets on Friday.
Analysis: It isn't a secret that Scoot's rookie season has been disappointing, but he has figured things out recently. After back-to-back double-doubles, Scoot poured in the points in this one as he set a new career-high for 3-pointers made. He made his first six before he finally missed, and he was able to have the third 30-point performance of his young career. He'll look to wrap up his first season with a big performance in Sacramento on Sunday. He should be a coveted target in fantasy drafts next season, which should go better than this first year did. |
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Deandre Ayton Deandre Ayton, Jabari Walker exit early vs. HOU
Fri, Apr 12, 2024, 5:41 PM
Portland Trail Blazers PR on X
Deandre Ayton (low back soreness) and Jabari Walker (left knee) will not return to Friday's game against Houston.
Analysis: Ayton played 23 minutes before exiting, finishing with six points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Walker only played 14 minutes, tallying nine points, five rebounds, and one blocked shot. If Ayton and Walker aren't available for Sunday's season finale, Duop Reath, Dalano Banton, and Kris Murray are three players who could be asked to shoulder heavy workloads. |
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Dalano Banton Dalano Banton, Justin Minaya available vs. Houston
Fri, Apr 12, 2024, 3:14 PM
Portland Trail Blazers PR on X
Dalano Banton (left ankle sprain) and Justin Minaya (left index finger sprain) will play against Houston on Friday.
Analysis: Banton missed their last game, but he will make his return to the lineup in this one. He has played a large role over the past two months and had some productive games off the bench. Minaya has taken on a larger role recently, but that hasn't led to much fantasy production. |
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