Th Portland Trail Blazers haven’t done much in NBA free agency this summer. That’s largely because the organization spent a ton of dough last summer to retain much of its core in restricted free agency. With most of its caps space tied up, general manager Neil Olshey can have a nice, relaxing summer after the 2017 NBA Draft is in the books.
Portland did draft two interesting big men in the NBA Draft. The Trail Blazers traded up to No. 10 with the Sacramento Kings to draft center Zach Collins out of Gonzaga. They used the No. 26 pick on Big Ten Player of the Year in Purdue forward Caleb Swanigan. Both will play some, but not much as rookies for head coach Terry Stotts.
So why is Portland a top-10 team heading into next year? Continuity and a trio of high-end starters in point guard Damian Lillard, shooting guard CJ McCollum and center Jusuf Nurkic. Lillard is a star in this league and is a creative floor general for the Trail Blazers to eventually go places. McCollum and Lillard have similar games of all-offense and no defense. He might be a piece Olshey can move at the deadline.
The really compelling part to Portland’s climb up the West might be the play of Nurkic down low. He was frustrated in Denver, as he and Nikola Jokic weren’t compatible on the court. Nurkic came to Portland, embraced his new city and team, thriving at center for the Trail Blazers. His development at the five makes Portland a playoff team and a dark horse to win the Northwest Division next year.