CBA expert Danny Leroux breaks down the major options, opportunities and risks for the Trail Blazers in The Athletic’s 2020 Offseason Preview series.
Last May, the Trail Blazers were in an unusual situation because of surprising success in the playoffs combined with uncertainty it would carry over due to Jusuf Nurkic suffering compound fractures in his tibia and fibula, keeping him out for the entire pre-hiatus season. With that in the background, team president Neil Olshey decided to make significant changes as well. That started on draft night when he traded 2016 signing Evan Turner for Kent Bazemore and drafted North Carolina swingman Nassir Little with the 25th pick.
His frontcourt overhaul began with sending Maurice Harkless and Meyers Leonard out for Hassan Whiteside, intending for the center to serve as a capable stopgap while Nurkic recovered. Olshey also let Al-Farouq Aminu sign a three-year deal with the Magic, meaning both of his starting…
