Portland Trail Blazers: 5 goals for Jusuf Nurkic in 2017-18

3. Win Most Improved Player of the Year Award

As I mentioned prior, Jusuf Nurkic has a prime opportunity to prove himself among the best big men in the league this year as he looks to complete his first full year with the Portland Trail Blazers. Not only is he starting, but he’s guaranteed plenty of minutes should he remain healthy throughout the year.

During his time with the Denver Nuggets, Nurkic averaged 17.9 minutes per game. With the Portland Trail Blazers, that number is expected to double.

Like I stated in my last slide: if he’s able to average a double-double by the end of the season, he’ll go from being known as a relatively good big man to one of the best centers in the NBA. If he’s able to continue improving as a passer and a defender, he’ll be renowned for being an all-around player.

That sounds like the 2017-18 Most Improved Player of the Year to me.