Mike Richman here, the host of the daily Locked On Blazers podcast, with your daily Locked On Blazers newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Blazers and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
An Opportunity to Pick a Path
Dec 6, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers small forward Deni Avdija (8)shoots the ball past Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler (24) during the second half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images | Soobum Im/Soobum Im-Imagn Images
Trail Blazers’ Injury Updates and Roster Dynamics
After a nearly week-long break, the team is back on the court, gearing up for matchups against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday and the Phoenix Suns on the road on Sunday.
The roster is getting healthier. The schedule is uncommonly lighter. The team faces a unique opportunity to optimize their lineup and strategy.
The injury report is looking more promising than it has in a while. Deandre Ayton is listed as questionable due to an illness. But the other center’s might be ready to play Friday evening against the Spurs. Robert Williams is on the verge of returning from a concussion, pending a final cognitive test. Donovan Clingan, who has been practicing all week, is expected to play, after missing three weeks with a knee sprain. It’s exciting to see the roster nearing full strength, which means some tough decisions lie ahead for the coaching staff.
The Blazers are also in them midst of a rare downtime in the schedule thanks in part to the in-season tournament causing some irregular extended breaks. Portland last played on Dec. 8 against the Lakers in LA. They then had four consecutive days off this week. After a couple games over the weekend, the Blazers have three days off next week before a home meeting with the Denver Nuggets next Thursday. They’re in the middle of a 12 day stretch with just four games. The lightest the schedule will be until the All-Star break in mid-February.
As they navigate this lighter schedule, it’s a prime opportunity for the coaching staff to refine the team’s approach and iron out the rotation with a more crowded, healthy roster. With several practice days available, there’s a chance to make meaningful adjustments that align with the franchise’s long-term vision.
That’s the key: Get the young guys on the court and have the on-court action mirror the team’s long-term vision. More Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe togheter, more Clingan, more Deni Avdija, more of anyone under 25 that figures to be part of the long-term plan.
It’s time. And moreover, there’s finally time to put this into action. If you can’t optimize the rotation and the gameplan now, you’re not getting another chance for similar downtime for several weeks.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Trail Blazers’ strategies and player dynamics, tune into the Locked On Blazers podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Blazers Podcast:
- The impact of the in-season tournament on the Blazers’ schedule
- Analysis of the Blazers’ coaching staff’s role during this unique stretch
- A look at the Blazers’ upcoming matchups and what to expect
Stay tuned, and let’s see how the Blazers rise to the challenge!
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) in action against the Atlanta Hawks in the second quarter at State Farm Arena. | Brett Davis/Brett Davis-Imagn Images
I was going to write about the NBA Cup semi-finals today but Milwaukee head coach, Doc Rivers, beat me to it by putting it all pretty succinctly with this:
“I mean, we’re gonna bring our wheelchairs to the cup because we have these three young teams. You know, everybody’s — Atlanta is young, Oklahoma is young, Houston is young. Then here comes the old Milwaukee Bucks, wheeling in. That’s what we are gonna be. We’re gonna just wheel in our wheelchairs and come in on our canes and see if we can just play some basketball. That’s what we are gonna do.”
So instead, let’s talk about superstars and trades. Not because any are going to be traded, but because the allure of the possibility of people like LeBron James and Jimmy Butler — people who create their own gravity — has once again hit peak saturation in NBA discourse.
The Heat floated the idea of a Butler trade, either directly or indirectly, and speculation over which team would make a ready destination followed suit. These things tend to go like dominoes — one of Butler’s favourite pastimes — but in terms of veracity, look no further than Butler’s own agent quashing the speculation. Yes, things have read as weirdly remiss in Miami, especially involving Butler, going back to team president Pat Riley’s end of season press conference. In it, Riley seemed to suggest the Heat were behind Butler so long as he was behind them. It’s a statement that should be self-evident, which is why it’s worth taking a second look at.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Home and Away
Preview The Portland Trail Blazers face the San Antonio Spurs in an upcoming matchup. Key players to watch include Damian Lillard and Victor Wembanyama. Check out the full preview for details on what to expect. (Blazer’s Edge)
Analysis ESPN highlights the legacy of Arvydas Sabonis and the rising career of his son, Domantas Sabonis, with insights into their impact on the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings. Dive into the analysis for a deeper understanding. (Blazer’s Edge)
Preview The Trail Blazers are set to compete against the Spurs. Get all the essential information, including a game prediction, time, and TV channel, in this comprehensive game preview. (Oregon Live)
Feel Good The Trail Blazers are making the most of their time off by engaging in activities that uplift team spirit and morale. Discover how they’re raising spirits in this feel-good story. (Oregon Live)
Ranking As the NBA Cup reaches its semifinals, find out where the Trail Blazers stand in the latest NBA Power Rankings. (Bleacher Report)
Analysis Bleacher Report offers a mid-season evaluation with report card grades for every NBA team, including the Trail Blazers. Check out the detailed analysis to see how the team is performing. (Bleacher Report)
Must Read The best defense in the NBA is 4,500 screaming maniacs, or how the Clippers built the best home court advantage. (WSJ)
Analysis Even the Wizards are surprised they’re losing like this. (The Athletic)
Rumor NBA trade intel on Lakers, Pelicans, Warriors, Heat, Hawks and more from two ESPN insiders.
Award Did you know? PrizePicks is the best place to cash in on your sports knowledge. All you have to do is correctly pick More or Less on a couple of player’s stats and then watch the money roll in. Prove your knowledge on PrizePicks.*
Ticket Booth
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Spurs @ Trail Blazers
Friday, Dec. 13 | 7:00PM | Moda Center, Portland, OR | Get Tickets
Trail Blazers @ Suns
Sunday, Dec. 15 | 6:00PM | Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ | Get Tickets
Nuggets @ Trail Blazers
Thursday, Dec. 19 | 7:00PM | Moda Center, Portland, OR | Get Tickets
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
What To Do With Portland’s Centers In Fantasy Basketball
Nov 22, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) handles the ball against Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr (10) during the first quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images | Erik Williams/Erik Williams-Imagn Images
Portland’s Center Conundrum
Portland is currently a hotbed of uncertainty, especially concerning their center position. With Deandre Ayton battling an illness and Robert Williams III and Donovan Clingan both questionable due to injuries, fantasy managers are left in a bind. The likelihood of all three playing is slim, making it a gamble to stream any of them. If you’re considering adding Williams or Clingan to your roster, be prepared for a potential last-minute change. This situation highlights the importance of staying updated with player statuses, especially when dealing with teams like Portland, which can be notoriously unpredictable.
Injury Updates and Player Performances
Injuries are an inevitable part of the NBA season, and they can significantly impact fantasy lineups. Stephon Castle’s unexpected absence due to a shoulder issue has opened up opportunities for other players. Devin Vassell might see increased minutes, and if he starts, it could be challenging to move him back to the bench. Meanwhile, Zach Collins’ absence in San Antonio means Charles Bassey could be a valuable stream option for those needing a big man.
The Utah Jazz are also dealing with injury woes, with Lauri Markkanen managing a lower back issue and Jordan Clarkson’s status remaining questionable. Markkanen’s potential absence could lead to increased roles for players like Johnny Juzang or Micah Potter, but the situation remains fluid. Fantasy managers should be cautious and consider steering clear of the Jazz’s lineup until there’s more clarity.
In Los Angeles, LeBron James is officially out with a foot injury, which could mean more opportunities for Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht. Nikola Vucevic’s illness adds another layer of complexity, and if he’s out, Jalen Smith becomes a viable streaming option.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Blazers podcasts.
Deni Avdija Is Finding His Rhythm But Trail Blazers Lose in Memphis The good news: Deni Avdija is finding his footing. The bad news: Pretty much everything else.
Anfernee Simons Delivers in the Clutch as Trail Blazers Get Bounce Back Win in Houston Anfernee Simons scored 15 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and the Trail Blazers avenged an ugly loss on Friday night with a clutch win over the same Houston Rockets on Saturday.
Can the Trail Blazers Follow The Houston Rockets Rebuild Path? | Game Preview with Locked On Rockets A crossover edition of the show with Jackson Gatlin of Locked On Rockets, previewing the Trail Blazers two games against the Rockets on Friday and Saturday.
