Caleb

Swanigan

This is an update from coach Terry Stotts earlier today saying that Swanigan was uncertain to head to Orlando. The Blazers should be OK without him in their rotation, especially with Zach Collins and Jusuf Nurkic ready to play and without restrictions. The Blazers will be allowed to sign a replacement player to their roster.

The Blazers sound like they’ll have Hassan Whiteside, Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins all available without restrictions, so there likely won’t be many minutes for Swanigan anyway.

He held his own but couldn’t generate much offense against Rudy Gobert, which isn’t exactly an easy thing to do. There’s been no indication that Hassan Whiteside (leg, day-to-day) will miss more time so we’re not rushing to the wire to grab Swanigan.

Coach Terry Stotts wasn’t lying when he said Biggie was going to get rotation minutes with 18 in the first three quarters. Perhaps the Blazers dial back Hassan Whiteside slightly, but Swanigan isn’t a great shot blocker and still wouldn’t offer enough upside when Whiteside is healthy. He’s on the radar as a deep-league stream for boards or as a super-deep add.

The Blazers are going to have to piece together the second-unit PF/C minutes, and Swanigan could be an answer at least until Jusuf Nurkic (leg) comes back. Swanigan is only a mega deep league option.

It’s a very favorable move for Ariza as he gets out of the heavy competition at the forward spots in Sacramento, and moves to one of the thinnest forward rotations in the league right now. Ariza hasn’t really done much this season in Sacramento at 24.7 minutes per game, averaging 6.0 points, 4.6 boards, 1.6 dimes, 1.1 steals, 0.2 blocks and 1.3 treys. He could be worth a look in 12-team leagues to see if he can lock down 30 minutes at both forward spots. Ariza, Gabriel and Swanigan will likely make their Blazers debuts on Wednesday.

Biggie Swanigan made a big impact in his first summer league with the Blazers, but things haven’t really worked out for him since. He could have an outside shot at minutes when Hassan Whiteside is missing time, but Swanigan remains off the radar in most fantasy leagues.

Ariza played through the groin issue on Monday, so he should again be out there tonight, although he’ll likely have somewhat of a minutes limit. Swanigan isn’t even in the rotation.

He’s not in the rotation.

Swanigan was a flier for the Kings and he’s played a total of nine minutes this season.