Trail Blazers rookie Caleb Love ready to seize opportunity: ‘I’m versatile’

TUALATIN — Despite scoring 2,762 points while playing for two national powerhouses, Arizona and North Carolina, Portland Trail Blazers rookie Caleb Love was not taken in the 2025 NBA draft.

Love’s dubious shot selection and low shooting percentages were the main issues that probably prevented him from being selected in the draft.

Love, who was 6-foot-4 in college but 6-2 on the Blazers Summer League roster, is committed to being better at everything, including playmaking, now that he is in the NBA.

After Sunday’s practice at the Blazers’ Tualatin facility, Love remarked, “I feel like I’m versatile.” As far as being a point guard and showing off my playmaking skills, I can excel in any capacity you put me in.

As the squad prepares to compete in the 2025 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, assistant coach Ronnie Burrell of the Blazers wishes to see Love develop as a leader.

As a guy who will occasionally handle the ball, I want him to speak out more, Burrell stated. He is kind of a recluse.

But not when attacking.

According to Burrell, he does a fantastic job of applying pressure to the rim and pressing the ball at both ends of the floor. He is skilled and fierce, and he adds a lot of intensity. He fits in perfectly with the tempo at which we play.

On May 27, Love worked out for the Blazers. He said that before the June 25–26 draft, he was still in constant communication with the team. Love was immediately selected by the Blazers on the last day of the draft after going undrafted, and he signed a two-way contract.

According to Love, we thought the Trail Blazers were the ideal fit.

However, the Blazers need to improve in an area where he fails.

In terms of three-point shooting (34.2%), Portland finished 26th last season. Love shot just 38% from the field during his career, including 32.6% from three-point range. He averaged 14.6 points per game during his three seasons with the Tar Heels and 17.6 during his two seasons with the Wildcats.

At the NBA level, those figures are insufficient, particularly for a combo guard who is small.

Another issue has been decision-making. Love is seen as an aggressive scorer who approaches the basket and isn’t afraid to make a shot under any conditions, according to a number of scouting reports.

But occasionally, this has resulted in bad shot selection and a reluctance to pass to teammates who are open rather than overdribbling.

Love is aware of these flaws and is committed to correcting them.

He stated, “I believe that as you practice and watch a lot of film, I see where my shots are coming from and where passes are supposed to be.” Therefore, I believe that simply gaining more and more reps will convert into success in summer league.

Love should be a perfect fit defensively. Chauncey Billups, the coach of the Blazers, has stated unequivocally that he will not put up with indolent defense, particularly in the backcourt, where he was a standout player.

Love envisions himself making an impression on defense as a pest on the ball, getting past screens and being able to get out in transition after stops on a young team that is looking for parts.

Love remarked, “I feel like I can contribute right away and fit right in.”

That involves speaking up more, as Burrell wants to do.

According to Love, it’s just me being at ease and interacting with my teammates, who I’m definitely getting to know more every day. A small amount of chemical is being created. Just me speaking in a voice that feels natural.

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