Whiteside finished the preseason Friday against the Pelicans with 10 points (3-7 FG, 4-8 FT), 12 rebounds, and three blocked shots over 30 minutes.

EDGE Analysis

Though his 50 percent shooting mark from the line is less than ideal, it's a marked improvement from Whiteside's preseason debut back on Oct. 17, when he shot 0-for-9 from the charity stripe. That area of Whiteside's game remains a work in progress, but the center should make up for it by racking up the rebounds and blocks at an excellent rate. In just 23.8 minutes per game a season ago, Whiteside averaged 10 boards and 2.6 blocks, and with his playing time set to increase in 2015-16, those numbers could stand to tick upward.