Portland Trail Blazers: Is a Zach Collins breakout looming?

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BROOKLYN, NY – JUNE 22: Zach Collins speaks with the media after being selected tenth overall by the Portland Trail Blazers at the 2017 NBA Draft on June 22, 2017 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. 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 2017 NBAE (Photo by Stephen Pellegrino/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What makes Collins so exciting

Collins’s already solid defense, along with his emergent offensive game, makes him such an exciting player for this Blazers team. Unlike Davis, Collins has the potential to be a two-way player who can play alongside Nurkic in a variety of situations.

If Collins can become a better shooter and passer from the high-post, the Blazers could run out two high-impact defensive bigs with plenty of offensive upside along with a high powered backcourt in Lillard, McCollum, and Al-Farouq Aminu or even Seth Curry.

In an ideal scenario, these kinds of lineups would create the same sort of spacing that someone like Maurice Harkless creates when playing the three or four positions, while making Portland’s defense even more elite.

Watch for Collins to continue to grow into himself this season. If he progresses quickly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Blazers try him out in the starting lineup for a truly long and dynamic look.

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With a breakout season, Zach Collins could become the player that unlocks this Blazers team.