Portland Trail Blazers: 5 bold predictions for 2017-18 NBA season

2. Caleb Swanigan finishes top-10 in Rookie of the Year voting

Caleb Swanigan played a total of eight games over the course of NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, averaging 16.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals in 30.9 minutes per game as a starter.

In four preseason games, he’s averaged 8.7 points and 7.5 rebounds in 17.6 minutes off the bench.

I think it’s pretty safe to assume that Swanigan has earned his spot in head coach Terry Stotts’ rotation. I think it’s pretty safe to expect Swanigan to drop in more than a couple double-doubles from time to time.

Considering the number of reputable rookie candidates this season expected to play in more opportunistic roles than Swanigan, his chances as a dark horse candidate are highly unlikely. However, I predict that he will take a number of fans by surprise when it’s all said and done, unexpectedly earning him a great deal of Rookie of the Year consideration.