Portland Trail Blazers: 3 takeaways from 2018-19 Media Day

3. Moe Harkless isn’t 100 percent yet

Maurice Harkless has grown into a key role player for the Blazers over his three seasons in Portland. After a big 2016-17 campaign, he statistically took a step back in 2017-18. However, his best stretch last year helped push the team to big victories in February and March.

Unfortunately, a left knee issue derailed his progress just as he was beginning to pick up steam. Harkless was forced to miss the final nine games of the regular season after undergoing a left knee arthroscopy. He only managed to play in two of the team’s four playoff games, and it was apparent that he wasn’t at full strength. It was fair to assume that a summer of rehabbing would help get Moe back on the right track.

However, one of the biggest surprises to come out of Blazers Media Day is that Moe Harkless still isn’t at 100 percent as the team enter training camp. The topic came up when he was asked about his offseason practice regimen. While this could spell trouble in the early going for Portland, Harkless reassured that he is still on the path to recovery.

"“I mean, we have a goal in mind, but it’s kind of a feel-it-out thing. Just keep pushing it, and we have been lately, just trying to see how far we can go without pain and how much we can tolerate. So I just got to continue to do that. I’ve played some 2-on-2, some 3-on-3, I haven’t played 5-on-5 with the guys yet, but it’s like we’re close.”"

Harkless says he and the training staff will continue to closely monitor his progress. Hopefully he will be back on the court sooner rather than later.