Rip City Project
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Blazers extend qualifying offer to Nurkic; he’ll be a restricted free agent on July 1

By Matt George Moore

PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 27: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on before the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 27, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - FEBRUARY 27: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on before the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 27, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. 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 Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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What happens next for Rip City’s ‘Bosnian Beast’?

We like to surprise folks here at the RCP. To that end, we’re constantly scouring the interwebs for breaking news and story ideas that will flabbergast our devoted readership of Portland Trail Blazers fans.

This story is not like that. This story is humdrum, ho-hum.

Sort of a totally expected, business-as-usual sorta thing.

It’s about Jusuf Nurkic. And, like most breaking NBA news stories big or small, it comes to us from the Woj:

More from Rip City Project

Nurk

In his first full season in Portland, the 7-foot, 280-pound Bosnian averaged 14.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 blocks per game. He started 79 games, averaging 26.4 minutes per contest.

Nurkic was prone to disappearing for stretches, though, and absolutely must work on getting his shooting percentage closer to 60 percent (rather than the 48.5 percent he’s shot for his career).

But Nurk is an intriguing player and personality. Rip City likes him, although he can definitely be frustrating to watch. (How many times have you yelled at your viddy screen, “Dunk the ball, Nurk!”?)

Nurkic improved as the 2017-2018 season progressed. He stopped rushing shots, for one thing. And he showed improved court awareness and patience in and around the paint. He can be a dominating center. What Rip City needs from Nurk is consistency.

Nurkic’s qualifying offer is $4.75 million; the amount is based on his current compensation. If another team tenders him an offer sheet, the Blazers can match it and keep Nurkic in Portland.

Footnotes

The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Joe Freemen tweeted this on Tuesday morning:

My guess is that we’ll be saying goodbye to Jake Layman. I expect offers to be made for Pat Connaughton and Shabazz Napier.

Next: McCollum, Whiteside spotted working out together

Whatever happens, we’ll keep you posted. Check back with the RCP — and be sure to follow us on Twitter.