PORTLAND TRIAL BLAZERS
While surpassing expectations through their regular season performances, their journey had come to a bitter end in the playoffs. Having encountered a sweep by the Rajon Rondo and Anthony Davis led Pelicans, roster modifications seemed imminent. However their noteworthy moves included releasing the long, rim protecting Ed Davis, re-signing the Bosnian Beast Jusuf Nurkic, swapping Shabazz Napier for Seth Curry and incorporating fresh faces using the draft as a vehicle.
The loss of Ed Davis should denote a significant hike in minutes for the Ex-Villanova forward who’d exhibited his potential on both ends of the floor in his rookie season. Their draft picks included high level athlete Anfernee Simons and sharpshooter Gary Trent Jr. who could pose the Blazers with a sterling backcourt in the near future.
With Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum consistently leading the team, they yearn for a skilled wing who could carry them further. Aminu, Harkless and Turner have proven themselves to be capable defensive roleplayers, but with the league shifting to technical wings, they require a two way threat from that domain to cause damage in the latter stages of the playoffs. However, the ever-improving partnership of the All Star pair should suffice to carry them into the knockout stages.
PROBABLE STARTING 5: Damian Lillard; C.J Mccollum; Evan Turner; Al Farouq Aminu; Jusuf Nurkic
PLAYOFF LIKELIHOOD: 7/10