1. Ease Jusuf Nurkic back into the rotation
Long has the return of Jusuf Nurkic been hailed as the Trail Blazers’ saving grace. Any missteps, faults or misfortune were cast aside with a handwave and the sentiment that “Everything will be fine when the Bosnian Beast returns.” But what if everything ends up being not so fine after all?
It’s officially been 331 days since Nurkic has last played an officiated game of basketball. Most of the time was spent immobile and out of action. It’s highly unlikely Nurkic recaptures last season’s level of performance right out of the gate — possibly not even until he’s had a full summer to return to full form.
Fortunately, the emergence of Hassan Whiteside as still-much-better-than-advertized affords Portland the opportunity to take things slow with Nurkic at first. Risking re-injury by rushing him back to the front lines is without a doubt the most foolish thing the Blazers could do at this stage. Regardless, Nurkic playing up to even just 75 percent of his capability is a significant upgrade over incumbent backup center Caleb Swanigan.
When fully healthy, a frontcourt rotation of Nurkic, Whiteside, Carmelo Anthony, and Zach Collins has the potential to be the best in all of basketball. Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves and waste the opportunity to see that lineup in action.