NBA Notes: Blazers, Deni Avdija, Nuggets, Cam Whitmore, Rockets

Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers added Ja Morant and brought Damian Lillard home. Elias Esquivel of NBA On SI⁠ believes neither move should displace Deni Avdija as Portland’s offensive centerpiece.

That’s an argument, not an indication of how coach Micah Nori intends to structure the offense.

It’s also a reasonable argument. Avdija became an All-Star last season while averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists. At 25, he represents a safer long-term investment than Lillard and a more stable one than Morant.

Portland also functioned well with the ball in Avdija’s hands. His usage rate reached 30.9 percent, while his assist percentage ranked in the 96th percentile among forwards, per Cleaning the Glass.

The concern is shooting. Avdija made 31.8 percent of his threes on six attempts per game, including 31.2 percent above the break.

Morant can relieve some of the creation burden. Lillard can supply spacing and another decision-maker. But those additions should make Avdija’s job easier, not necessarily smaller.

The Blazers finally found a 6-foot-9 forward capable of scoring and running offense. It would be strange to spend the season asking him to stand aside.

Nuggets

Cam Whitmore has another NBA opportunity. It may be one of his last unless his game expands.

Derek Parker of NBA Draft On SI⁠ made that case after the Nuggets signed Whitmore to a two-way contract.

Again, that is Parker’s assessment. Denver has not described the signing as a final chance.

The trajectory nevertheless explains the concern. Whitmore was the No. 20 pick in 2023 after once being projected near the top of the draft. Three years later, the Nuggets are his fourth organization following stops with the Rockets, Wizards and Cavaliers.

Nobody doubts that Whitmore can score. He averaged 12.3 points as a rookie despite playing only 18.7 minutes per game.

The question is what else he provides when the shots aren’t falling. His defense, passing and off-ball work have yet to become consistent enough for coaches to overlook everything else.

Denver offers an ideal environment. Nikola Jokic creates open shots for anyone willing to cut, move and make quick decisions. Whitmore doesn’t have to become a star. He has to prove he can help a good team without controlling the ball.

The talent keeps earning him opportunities. The rest of his game will determine whether they continue.

Rockets

Three members of the Rockets enter training camp under particular scrutiny, according to Ethan Skolnick of Rockets On SI⁠.

One of them isn’t technically a player.

Skolnick identified Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and coach Ime Udoka as Houston’s three most prominent pressure points after a first-round loss to the Lakers.

Durant remains capable of handling the scoring. The larger question involves leadership and whether Houston’s younger players follow his example during a season carrying considerably higher expectations.

Sengun has made consecutive All-Star teams and averaged approximately 20 points, nine rebounds and six assists last season. Individual production is no longer the issue. The Rockets need him to become a reliable postseason co-star.

Then there is Udoka.

Houston largely retained its core while adding experienced players such as Marcus Smart and Bogdan Bogdanovic. That gives Udoka depth, flexibility and very few excuses.

A first-round exit can be explained away once. If the Rockets stumble there again, the explanation will become considerably less comfortable.