Chauncey Billups and the Portland Path Blazers have not seen many modifications to their roster this offseason as they proceed to rebuild. Nevertheless, the crew made an underrated transfer out of left area once they acquired ahead Deni Avdija from the Washington Wizards hours earlier than the 2024 NBA Draft begins in June.
Avdija, who was chosen ninth total in 2020 by the Wizards, had has been some of the improved gamers within the league through the 2023-24 season. Along with scoring, Avdija elevated his total shot manufacturing, rebound manufacturing, and talent to be a secondary playmaker on the perimeter. That is why many nodded in approval when the Blazers acquired the 23-year-old for Malcolm Brogdon, the 14th total decide within the 2024 NBA Draft, a future first-round decide and two second-round picks.
As league coaching camps started final week, stories of Billups calling Avdija the crew’s greatest participant started to floor. Clearly, these feedback led to plenty of dialogue on social media about Billups’ confidence within the crew, particularly since key abilities like Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton and Anfernee Simons had been headlining final yr.
Earlier than his Corridor of Fame induction on October 13, Billups took the time to set the document straight on his ideas on Avdija, saying he by no means known as the brand new ahead the Blazers’ greatest participant.
“Yesterday I used to be doing an interview on Sirius Radio within the morning with Sam Mitchell and one other host, and so they mentioned that,” Billups claimed concerning unsourced feedback that he known as Avdija Portland the perfect participant, in line with the Washington reporter. Aaron Fentress Blazers. “They advised me, ‘Yeah, so we heard you mentioned Deni Avdija was your greatest participant.’ I mentioned, “I by no means mentioned that, I don’t know the place that got here from. Deni is one among our greatest gamers, don’t get me unsuitable; our greatest participant. I would not say he is our greatest participant, however he is a really priceless participant for us.
“I’m so excited to educate him. However I do not know the place it comes from.
Billups additionally made it clear that there have been a number of gamers through the early phases of coaching camp who he recognized because the crew’s greatest in a sure drill or side of the sport, which is what brought on confusion and misquotes.
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The underside line about Billups and the Blazers is that this franchise is rebuilding. There is not essentially a transparent route proper now, and the group is solely getting into the 2024-25 season with the mindset of ready to see what occurs with the group it has assembled.
Portland does not have a foul roster by any means, particularly in the event you undergo the checklist of proficient gamers on their roster who may contribute to title-contending groups. On the identical time, the Blazers additionally aren’t able to really contend for a playoff spot after successful simply 21 video games a season in the past.
As he enters his fourth season in cost, Billups now faces much more stress in Portland as he has by no means eclipsed 33 wins in a single season. After including Avdija through the offseason and having an additional yr to develop his younger expertise, Billups will certainly be underneath the microscope of the Path Blazers administration within the coming yr.
