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5 Roster Moves Portland Trail Blazers Need To Make

By Matthew Hallett

May 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) and guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the second half in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 118-106. Mandatory Credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez-Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports
May 1, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) shoots the basketball against Golden State Warriors forward Harrison Barnes (40) and guard Shaun Livingston (34) during the second half in game one of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Trail Blazers 118-106. Mandatory Credit: Marcio Jose Sanchez-Pool Photo via USA TODAY Sports /
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The Portland Trail Blazers did something no one expected they would do this season; they did not suck. Here are 5 roster moves to improve them even more.

May 9, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after making a basket over Golden State Warriors in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
May 9, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after making a basket over Golden State Warriors in game four of the second round of the NBA Playoffs at Moda Center at the Rose Quarter. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /

Prior to the start of this season the Portland Trail Blazers lost four starters, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge, Robin Lopez and Arron Afflalo. As a general consensus, Portland was going to suck; how could they succeed?

Well, succeed they did, making the second round of the playoffs, pushing the Golden State Warriors before the Warriors’ class prevailed in the end.

It was the quality play and leadership from their point guard, Damian Lillard, that allowed Portland to surprise the NBA community and succeed. Lillard’s play was augmented by the improved play of C.J. McCollum which earned him the Most Improved Player award.

The rest of the Blazers played their roles really well, with players like Allen Crabbe taking his scoring average from 3.0 points per game in his first two seasons to 10.3 this season, making him the third-leading scorer for the team.

Related Story: 25 Best Players to Play for the Portland Trail Blazers

Now Portland has a heap of cap space and a proven point guard who makes those around him better. Here are five roster moves they need to make to take another leap forward in 2016-17.

Next: Sign a Quality Center

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