Jusuf Nurkic’s return is a way off for now, but will arrive with plenty of question marks. The Portland Trail Blazers must be ready to handle the ramifications.
In a recent interview, Portland Trail Blazers GM Neil Olshey stated that the organization would will stay ‘purposely vague’ on Jusuf Nurkic‘s status, and stressed there would be no “Nurk Watch 2019”.
Regardless of these comments, Rip City will remain anxious for the Bosnian to return, and will be hanging on to any sort of news that comes their way. But when Nurkic does finally return, the Blazers will have some decisions to make. How will they adapt their roster to fully capitalize on his return?
The Blazers have looked gritty, albeit uninspiring to open up the new season. A new roster with seven fresh faces obviously needs some time to gel, but it’s clear they’re not the same team with Hassan Whiteside manning the middle. I’m expecting Nurkic to return to the floor around February time, but whether he hits the ground running or not is a completely different conversation. Whether Nurk is 50 percent, 75 percent, or even feeling at full strength, his recovery opens up plenty of doors for Portland; in a wide-open Western Conference, there’s no better time to take a few risks.
Both Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have both been vocal about the switch of mindset in Portland.
It's a championship mindset in #RipCity this season.
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) October 18, 2019
@CJMcCollum tells @TermineRadio and @Jumpshot8 why "this is the time" for the @trailblazers pic.twitter.com/NeWfAPEsN4
The talent in their backcourt, added shooters and the unclear outlook of the Western Conference has the Blazers believing they can win it all this year; CJ stated “this is the time”. Whilst I agree that the ceiling is high, I still think they need another piece. I think the Blazers will swing for a trade midseason, and Nurkic’s health will decide which piece they go and get.
Here are 3 trades Portland could potentially look into later in the season.