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| The Sports Ticker reports that the Portland Trail Blazers signed first-round draft pick Nicolas Batum on Tuesday. It's unclear whether he will play in Europe or the NBA next season. |
Our View: The Blazers roster is full and includes small forwards Martell Webster and Travis Outlaw so don't be surprised if they let the 19-year-old continue to develop in Europe for a season or two. |
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| Jerryd Bayless led the Blazers with 36 points in Saturday's summer league game, according to NBA.com. 17 of his points came in the fourth quarter and he hit the game-winning jumper with 18 seconds left in a 74-73 win over the Suns. |
Our View: He isn't racking up a whole lot of assists while working as a point guard, but has been a strong source of scoring for the Blazers through the summer league. He could be limited as a rookie while playing on a deep and talented Portland roster, and he still needs to prove he can handle all of the facets of playing the point guard spot. |
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| Greg Oden said he was about 80% healthy while at the ESPY awards according to Trailblazers.com. |
Our View: The big worry with Oden from the start was how durable his body would be (including his leg that is one-and-a-half inches longer than the other). Fantasy owners should keep that in mind when ranking him against other center eligible players. The position is not as shallow as it has been in the past. |
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| Sergio Rodriguez has been working on improving his accuracy on his perimeter shooting with coach John Townsend, according to the Oregonian. He is enjoying solid results so far, as Townsend remarked, "He's really in a groove right now." |
Our View: This is good news, as Rodriguez only shot 35 percent from the field last season, but still doesn't look to have a solid role with the Blazers next season. |
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| Jerryd Bayless went for 29 points and six rebounds on Thursday night against Minnesota. |
Our View: Bayless has now gone for 26, 28, and 29 in three games. He has gone to the line 55 times in those contests. Still, it will take a lot more to get significant playing time on a very deep Blazers roster. |
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| Miles is attempting to return from microfracture surgery he had to his right knee in 2006. Once deemed to be "career-ending" by the NBA, Miles has set out to prove them wrong. Miles has earned workouts with the Nets, Celtics, Suns, and Mavericks, reports SI.com. "I feel like I'm a starter in this league -- on a lot of teams I really should be a starter,'' Darius said. "But I would love to go to a playoff team to come off the bench.'' |
Our View: Miles return could be an amazing one. Keep him on your fantasy radar if he ends up signing with a team, that is if you don't mind a little risk. |
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| Greg Oden is ready to begin his NBA after having to sit out all of last season due to a knee injury that required surgery, according to the Associated Press. “I’m still rehabbing, but I’m ready to play,” Oden said. “I can work out, I can lift, no 5-on-5, no 3-on-3. That’s where everything is going, towards me being able to play when the season starts..." |
Our View: Oden could give the Blazers the inside, defensive presence they have long been searching for. If he is healthy enough to contribute, the Blazers could be a team to contend with in 2008-09. |
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| Jerryd Bayless poured in 26 points, and snared six rebounds, though he only had two assists and turned the ball over five times in Portland's 75-74 loss to the Sacramento Kings in the team's summer league game Tuesday. |
Our View: It's clear Bayless can score, but can he dish? His assist total is not as high as fantasy players would like it to be, and he only shot 6-for-15 from the floor, which is more evidence that he needs to work on his shooting. |
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| Jerryd Bayless had a nice debut with the Blazers in a Summer League game against the Wizards. The rookie guard poured in 28 points and added four rebounds. Bayless made his living at the line, hitting 18-of-23 from the stripe. |
Our View: The Blazers got themselves an athletic scorer from the point position, and it'll be interesting to see how he fits in alongside Brandon Roy. It's nice to seem him being aggressive in Summer League play, but the box score says Jerryd didn't manage to record even one assist. That's not a good sign for his fantasy value. |
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| The Phoenix Suns medical staff examined Darius Miles' knee, but they are not expected to sign him, according to the Arizona Republic. |
Our View: Miles has missed the last two seasons with his knee injury and may have to sit out the first 10 games of his season no matter where he signs. His once promising career is on hold, and his fantasy value is nil. |
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| Jerryd Bayless is now officially a member of the Blazers, according to the Star Tribune. Portland also acquired Ike Diogu, and sent Brandon Rush, Jarrett Jack, Josh McRoberts and cash to the Pacers.
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Our View: Bayless is expected to make the Blazers' backcourt more athletic, and the team likes his scoring ability and tenacious competitive nature. |
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| The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that the Miami Heat will offer James Jones a four year deal. |
Our View: Jones played college ball in Miami and would welcome the chance to come back. He was one of the league's best shooters last season when he shot 44% from three and nearly 88% from the free-throw line. |
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| Darius Miles may have to sit out the first 10 games of the upcoming season due to a failed drug test, but that doesn't mean he is currently stumpy for a position with a new club, according to the Oregonian. In fact, Miles has recently been working out with the Boston Celtics as he attmempts to return to the court after last seasons knee surgery. |
Our View: Miles not only needs to prove he is healthy, he will also have to overcome the drug violation that will carry with it the 10-game suspension, not necessarily a great calling card to entice a new team to taking him on. |
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| Darius Miles will be suspended for the first 10 games of next season after failing a league drug test, according to The Oregonian. |
Our View: The league has yet to release what substance Miles has tested positive for, but it may be the results are for naught. Miles was diagnosed with a knee injury that has been labeled as career ending, and it is an injury no player has ever returned to action in the NBA from. Miles has been working out in Phoenix, hoping to return, and this matter is simply the NBA insuring their bases are covered should be achieve the miracle of full health. |
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| Rudy Fernandez has signed a contract and will play next season with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to NBA.com. "Brandon Roy, Greg Oden, LaMarcus Aldridge, I can't wait to play with them. We will do nice things,” he commented. |
Our View: Nice things indeed. Fernandez has been dominant in European basketball, and brings a variety of skills to the Blazers. He could be a useful part of a fantasy basketball team in the coming season. |
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