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Blazers: 5 goals for Caleb Swanigan to achieve in 2018-2019

By Nate Mann

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Caleb Swanigan #50 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 10, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 10: Caleb Swanigan #50 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the game against the San Antonio Spurs during the 2018 Las Vegas Summer League on July 10, 2018 at the Cox Pavilion in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 08: Jock Landale #34 of the Atlanta Hawks, Zach Collins #33 and Caleb Swanigan #50 of the Portland Trail Blazers battle for a rebound during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 08: Jock Landale #34 of the Atlanta Hawks, Zach Collins #33 and Caleb Swanigan #50 of the Portland Trail Blazers battle for a rebound during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 8, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

Defense

Since entering the NBA, Swanigan hasn’t been able to record much more than a steal or block every couple games.

  • Preseason: 0.5 steals, 0.2 blocks
  • G-League: 1.0 steals, 0.9 blocks
  • Regular season: 0.2 steals, 0.1 blocks
  • 2018 Summer League: 0.4 steals, 0.3 blocks

This is mostly due to his size and athleticism – he’s undersized for a power forward at 6 feet 8 inches tall and certainly doesn’t have the agility, speed or vertical to compensate.

If he is to take Ed Davis‘ spot alongside Collins in the reserve frontcourt rotation, he will need to improve defensively. Davis and Collins paired well together – both held opponents to under 56% within six feet of the hoop. Swanigan, on the other hand, allowed opponents to shoot 60.9% that close to the rim.

His defense doesn’t pass the eye test either. In the Apr. 5 game versus Houston, guards blew by him on switches after a screen more times than not. While lanky, athletic big men like Collins can make up ground and contest the shot, Swanigan is left in the dust.