File photo
Trail Blazers
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps writes that Portland’s draft-night move in 2024 to acquire Deni Avdija for multiple first-rounders confused plenty of executives at the time.
The Blazers were miles from contention and Avdija hadn’t shown signs of becoming a franchise-shifting piece.
Fifteen games into this season, that skepticism looked outdated. Avdija has taken a massive step forward, averaging 25.9 points per game — nearly 10 more than his previous career high — and putting himself squarely in the All-Star conversation.
Portland sits at 7-9 and has pushed itself into incredibly early play-in contention.
“He’s been awesome,” a West scout told Bontemps. “He’s much better than I thought he was going to be when Portland traded for him.”
As an aside, Avdija has already tied Damian Lillard for the second-most 30-point triple-doubles in franchise history, per ESPN Research.
Suns
After last season unraveled, Bontemps reports that Suns owner Mat Ishbia made it clear that Phoenix needed a new identity built on toughness, energy and joy.
Through a 10-6 start, the Suns appear to be moving in that direction.
Phoenix has only two wins over teams above .500, but scouts have praised new head coach Jordan Ott and the shift in roster construction around Devin Booker, who is playing at an All-NBA level again.
Hard-nosed defenders, complementary shooting and a clearer rotation have given the Suns a path to sneak into the postseason in a Western Conference with a soft bottom half.
“They’ve been way better than I thought,” a West scout told Bontemps. “They’ve got enough pieces around Devin where they’ll win the games they should win. Ott has them playing the right way and competing.”
Spurs
Bontemps notes that San Antonio opened the season with a big question.
Namely, how would Stephon Castle, No. 2 pick Dylan Harper and De’Aaron Fox fit together?
Nearly a month in, the question still lingers. The Spurs haven’t had a single game with all three guards available.
Castle’s individual leap has been encouraging, at least before his recent hip injury. The reigning Rookie of the Year is averaging 17.3 points, 7.5 assists and 1.7 steals.
Shooting remains the concern. Castle is under 25 percent from three and around 70 percent at the line, and scouts have long questioned whether Fox, Harper and Castle can thrive together without a reliable shooter in that trio.
Looking for the latest NBA Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow Hoops Wire on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NBA News and Rumors for all 30 teams!
