Portland Trail Blazers: Is a Zach Collins breakout looming?

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DENVER, CO – APRIL 9: Head Coach Terry Stotts of the Portland Trail Blazers speaks to Zach Collins #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the game against the Denver Nuggets on APRIL 9, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /

The Portland Trail Blazers versatile big man Zach Collins is entering his sophomore season next year. Is he primed for a breakout year?

There is perhaps no player more intriguing on the current Portland Trail Blazers roster than Zach Collins. From blocking shots down low, to shooting from the outside, to finishing with finesse around the rim, the rookie showed he could do a little bit of everything last season.

As the 20-year-old Collins enters his second year with the club, all of Portland should be wondering: will he breakout this year?

The opportunity has presented itself.

Zach Collins should have every opportunity to prove himself this upcoming season.

This summer, the Portalnd Trail Blazers lost Ed Davis to the Brooklyn Nets. Though not the highest-profile player in the NBA, Davis’s loss sent stress fractures across Rip City Nation.

Even Damian Lillard felt some heartbreak:

https://twitter.com/Dame_Lillard/status/1013290887760269312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1013290887760269312%7Ctwgr%5E383231323b636f6e74726f6c&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.oregonlive.com%2Fblazers%2Findex.ssf%2F2018%2F07%2Fed_davis_trail_blazers_free_agent.html

Although Davis’s departure hurts, Collins should appear as the Trail Blazers shiny new boyfriend who could prove to be an even better companion.

At least, that seems to be how Blazers GM Neil Olshey viewed the loss. In an interview with NBA.com’s Brooke Olzendam, he hinted that the organization was okay with Brooklyn seducing Davis away because it would open up more time for Collins at the four and five spots.

Last season, Collins averaged 15.8 minutes. I’d be surprised if this didn’t grow into the 20-ish range for 2018-19.

The Blazers will need him, after all.