The Portland Trail Blazers have had a rocky start to the 2021-22 NBA season. They are 6-7 as they adjust to what new head coach Chauncey Billups is implementing scheme-wise.
Billups had a tall task taking on the job in Portland. Terry Stots had made the postseason eight consecutive seasons, but the team’s lack of success upon getting there led to his ouster. The Portland Trail Blazers had been eliminated in the first round four out of the last five years.
Given how things have started this season, ownership would take a playoff appearance over this. Portland is currently 10th in the Western Conference as Damian Lillard has struggled in the early going. Without Lillard playing at an elite level, this team is going to struggle to win games consistently.
If they ultimately look to shake up a roster and make a move, Jusuf Nurkic is someone to keep an eye on. Nurkic is on an expiring deal and if there aren’t plans to keep him long-term, they could flip him to upgrade the roster.
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He is having a solid season, averaging 11.5 points on 57.3 percent from the field. He is pulling down 11.5 rebounds per game, adding 2.3 assists and 1.4 steals as well. The x-factor when it comes to Jusuf Nurkic is health, as he has played in only 45 games the last two seasons because of injuries.
He has avoided the injury bug thus far this season, starting all 12 games. If things don’t turn around, he could certainly be someone the team moves on from. Where could he land? Here are three teams who should pursue a trade for him should the opportunity arise.
