Portland Trail Blazers: 3 big questions heading into 2018-19 NBA season

What are three big questions the Portland Trail Blazers have to answer as they enter the 2018-19 NBA season?

Portland Trail Blazers fans still feel the sting of that sweep in the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans. After a regular season that saw them claim their best record since 1999-00 and a Northwest Division title, it all felt like it slipped away in a matter of four games.

However, the 2018-19 season is right around the corner, so the team is closer to a new beginning than it is from that bitter end. The Blazers’ focus will definitely be on looking to repeat the success of last season while redeeming themselves from their early playoff exit.

Over the course of the summer, Portland’s front office had to answer some tough questions regarding its roster. In free agency, the Blazers chose to retain Jusuf Nurkic and Wade Baldwin IV, while allowing Ed Davis, Shabazz Napier and Pat Connaughton to walk. The fanbase responded negatively, as they felt those departing players were good locker room guys that were key to Portland’s success in 2018.

Several question marks with potential replace them. Seth Curry is an underrated offensive talent, but he missed all of last season with a left tibia injury. Nik Stauskas has the reputation of a sharpshooter, but has yet to pan out in the league. Meanwhile, rookie guards Anfernee Simons and Gary Trent Jr. have high potential, but don’t look to be as ready to deliver on a contending team as the veterans that left the Blazers this summer.

How well these new additions will mesh with the returning roster is a question that looms large. However, there are three even bigger questions that will also need to be answered heading into the new season.