What the lineup could end up as:
Right now, I’d bet the Blazers eventually settle into closing out games with this lineup:
Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Maurice Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu, Zach Collins
So long as Harkless can shoot above 38-ish percent from deep, he provides ample spacing for the backcourt while being the best defender Portland has at that three spot.
Aminu will likely always have a spot at the end of regulation with his tenacious defense.
And Collins will likely prove the better option over Nurkic as this season progresses due to his better mobility and ability to stretch the floor. But there will be games where Nurkic closes, especially against the Detroits (Andre Drummond) of the world.
Stauskas may continue finding himself in these closing lineups when he has the hot hand, ousting either Harkless or Aminu – whoever is struggling more offensively.
Still, lots could change from now until the end of the season.
The Blazers will continue tinkering around to try and answer one of their toughest questions of the year: who do they choose to close games? Right now, there are tons of options.