Portland Trail Blazers: 3 goals for Maurice Harkless in 2018-19

Portland Trail Blazers wing Maurice Harkless dealt with injuries and inconsistencies in 2017-18. What parts of his game can he focus on to get better?

Maurice Harkless had a big 2016-17 season for the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 10.0 points per game on 50.3 percent shooting, both career-highs. Heading into the offseason, it looked like things were looking up for the small forward.

However, Harkless took a step back in multiple facets in 2017-18. Namely, he lost his starting job early in the season, as he failed to make an impact on the offensive end of the floor. Harkless would eventually earn his starting spot back, only to have his season cut short when he underwent a left knee arthroscopy. He attempted to play in the postseason, but could only manage to play in two of the team’s four games.

Needless to say, Maurice Harkless is looking to have a much better season in 2018-19. At 25 years old, he possesses the athleticism and tools to be a useful role player in the modern NBA. The front office seems to believe this, as they decided not to acquire any additional small forwards in the offseason.

So with a rough 2017-18 in the rearview, what goals could Moe Harkless focus on to get his career back on track in 2018-19?