Power Forward Rotation
Starter: Zach Collins
Is this the year Zach Collins finally hits the starting lineup and has his breakout year? There’s no point in delaying the inevitable, and two years of play time will be far more valuable when it comes to accurately assessing Collins’ worth to the team and negotiating an extension.
Collins projects as a legitimate rim protector, seen with his 2.9 blocks per 36 minutes in the playoffs last year. However, his offensive game has been improving nicely as well. His true shooting increased 8.7 percent, effective field goal percentage up 6.5, and his offensive rating increased from 93 to 112.
Becoming more dependable from the 3-point line and charity are huge strides in Collins’ game that must be maintained if he wishes to carve out a spot in the NBA. If he can be a stout defensive presence while also making opposing teams respect his shot, that’s an immediate upgrade over last year’s poor-shooting roster.
Bench: Anthony Tolliver, Skal Labissiere
Anthony Tolliver is an excellent addition in response to the Blazers poor shooting problems of the past. Since the 2013-14 season, Tolliver has shot 39.3 percent from deep on just shy of four attempts per game. He is an extremely hard worker that has fought just to have a spot in the NBA and is the perfect gritty role player the Portland Trail Blazers could use.
This could be a make-or-break year for Skal Labissiere, who enters the final year of his rookie scale contract. With the market tightening up for traditional big men in recent years, Skal will have to impress to warrant staying with the Blazers past this year. He will have that opportunity with an injury-depleted rotation of bigs early next season.