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2018-19 Portland Trail Blazers Frontcourt Preview

By Shawn P. O’Connor

TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: Zach Collins #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA rookie photo shoot on August 11, 2017 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
TARRYTOWN, NY - AUGUST 11: Zach Collins #33 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA rookie photo shoot on August 11, 2017 at the Madison Square Garden Training Facility in Tarrytown, 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 Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Portland Trail Blazers’ frontcourt is widely known as a weakness in an otherwise contending team. How will the Blazers’ frontcourt look like this season?

The front court for Portland is a bit of a mess right now. After losing a key rotational player in Ed Davis and a role player in Noah Vonleh, the Blazers’ forward position looks shallow and uninspiring. This offseason was focused on adding depth and prospects to the backcourt, leaving many fans in Rip City disappointed. In a year where they were forgotten, how will the frontcourt respond?

Small Forwards

Evan Turner

Maurice Harkless

Jake Layman

The small forward position features three returning players, all three who started games for the Blazers last season. Turner and Moe split the majority of the minutes and starts last season, with Layman picking up one. Evan Turner has struggled in his time with Portland, most recently documented by site co-expert Doug Patrick. Turner disappointed once again last season, scoring only 8.2 points per game last season. Even worse, Evan rarely took chances, attempting only 1.7 three pointers per game, in which he converted 31.8% of the time.

Moe also had a tough year, slumping from a career season in 2016. Harkless scored 6.5 points per game in 2017, but there were positives in his performance last season. Moe hit on 41.5% of his three point attempts, a team high for players attempting at least two long range shots per contest. Despite a dip in production last season, Moe Harkless is still a vert promising player for Portland.

The same can be said for young Jake Layman. Layman is a third year player in the NBA, starting in two of his 70 career appearances with the Blazers. Layman is still inexperienced, averaging only 5.8 minutes per game in his career, but with time, Jake could develop into a role player for the Blazers.

Power Forwards

Al-Farouq Aminu

Cameron Oliver

Caleb Swanigan

Anchored by the Chief, the power forward position in Portland is a position of development. Aminu led the way last season at the position, starting 67 games while scoring 9.3 points with 76 rebounds per contest. Al-Farouq was an excellent three point shooter, converting 36.9% of his nearly five attempts from distance per game. Chief is the clear starter at the power forward spot next season.

Caleb Swanigan and Cameron Oliver are both young players that still need time to develop. Swanigan appeared in 27 games last season, scoring 2.3 points per appearance. Cameron Oliver is an undrafted rookie out of the University of Nevada, Reno. At 6-8, 239 pounds, Oliver has good size, and will have a chance to contribute in a rotational role for the Blazers. Both of these players will have the opportunity to develop and prove themselves as Aminu leads the way next season.

Centers

Jusuf Nurkic

Zach Collins

Meyers Leonard

Chinanu Okuaku

The center position in Portland is a strong one for the Blazers. Anchored by starter Jusuf Nurkic and rookie phenom Zach Collins, Portland is set up for success at the center position. Nurkic started 79 games for Portland last season, scoring 14.3 points per game while grabbing nine boards. An excellent shooter, Jusuf hit 50.5% of his field goals, good for best on the team of players attempting at least five shots per game. Collins also had a fantastic season last year. Zach, a one-and-done rookie out of Gonzaga, contributed 4.4 points and 3.3 rebounds per game in his 66 appearances and one start for the Blazers. Collins suprized many, proving he was worth the 10th overall pick in the draft. Zach Collins may be on the verge of a breakout season.

he other two members of the center position, Meyers Leonard and Chinanu Okuaku, are on opposite ends of their careers. Meyers, once a fan favorite, was a major financial mistake for the Blazers. Leonard appeared in only 33 games for Portland last season, scoring 3.4 minutes per contest. Leonard will not be a contributor this season for the Blazers. Chinanu, on the other hand, is a young prospect player who started his career in Houston. Okuaku has appeared in six games in his NBA career, averaging three points per appearance with 2.3 rebounds. Okuaku is a very raw talent, but could develop into a solid player while learning behind Jusuf and Zach.

2018-19 Frontcourt Preview. light. Related Story

The front court of the Blazers is often seen as a weakness. This position group does contain solid starters in Nurkic and Aminu, but these positions lack depth, a major concern for a team playing in one of the toughest divisions in basketball. If Portland is to contend this season, the frontcourt of the Blazers must step up in a big way.