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Three Portland Trail Blazers that may have played their last game in town

By Stevie Cozens

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 23: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball in the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks during their game at Moda Center on January 23, 2020 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, OREGON - JANUARY 23: Hassan Whiteside #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball in the first quarter against the Dallas Mavericks during their game at Moda Center on January 23, 2020 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) /
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Portland Trail Blazers center
Portland Trail Blazers center /

Every year, players come and go from NBA teams. With this season likely over for the Portland Trail Blazers, which players may we not see back next season?

The Portland Trail Blazers season is likely over. With the regular season potentially getting canned in favour of a short playoff series, the seedings may be set with the Blazers missing out on the post-season.

If this was the case then there would likely be a few players who may have played their last game in town. This Blazers team is doing everything in it’s power to contend with Damian Lillard in his prime, so every roster spot is key to this moving forward.

This season was a strange one personnel wise because of the injuries to Zach Collins and Rodney Hood, combined with the extended absence of Jusuf Nurkic. These three coming back in 2021 will mean around 90 minutes a game will need to be made available.

In the case of Collins and Nurkic, they will plug straight into a front court that struggled mightily on defense this season. Aside from just blocked shots, the Blazers couldn’t get stops this season, and that ultimately was the reason that this team had a 29 and 37 record even though they had the eighth ranked offense in the league.

With Dame and CJ McCollum not having great size, and only being league average defenders, having strong defenders in Collins and Nurkic returning is even more important.

Below we look at the three players least likely to return next season, and what their chances are of being on the team in 2021.