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Jusuf Nurkic back to practising with the Trail Blazers

Stevie Cozens|
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 25: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts in the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Moda Center on March 25, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - MARCH 25: Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts in the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Moda Center on March 25, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. 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. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)

In some positive news for the Trail Blazers, Jusuf Nurkic is back to practising with team and participating in five on five workouts. This is huge news.

Jusuf Nurkic is back, not playing games yet, but he’s back practising with his Trail Blazers teammates. He is participating in five on five drills as well as participating in full contact drills. According to Jason Quick of The Athletic there is no official date for his return though.

This probably just means though that they are waiting to see how his body responds to the full contact training. He has been out for almost a year but in that time he has lost weight and got in better shape.

There will be no rush for Nurkic to return though, the original statement from Nurkic himself said that was hoping to return around the all-star break. This is still looking likely. Jason Quick was also quoted as saying that Nurk will likely come off the bench to start with at around 12 – 15 minutes a night.

Like the return of number one pick Zion Williamson recently, there is no need to push Nurk to try to win games or get the season back in track. Both Damian Lillard and Neil Olshey have been quoted as saying that this team won’t make moves to compromise the longterm vision of the franchise.

Again, a good precaution. With Hassan Whiteside fit, and more backup at the forward spots since the Ariza / Bazemore trade they don’t need to play Nurk until he is 100 percent ready to go.

Obviously the dynamic between Whiteside and Nurk will be interesting. It won’t be a problem for the first month though as Nurk gets back up to speed. We have already broken the big man debate down in detail, fans now just have to wait and see what happens on court.

The trade deadline will decide the future of Whiteside, and with Nurk’s possible return at the all-star break, fans and media alike will at last get to see this team closer to full strength.

Competition for positions may push Whiteside to be better. If not then this team will have two starting calibre centers. Hopefully come February, Nurk will be on the court.