Portland Trail Blazers: 2018-19 NBA season preview

2018-19 roster

Key additions: Anfernee Simons (draft), Gary Trent Jr. (draft), Nik Stauskas (free agency), Seth Curry (free agency)

Key subtractions: Pat Connaughton (free agency), Ed Davis (free agency), Shabazz Napier (free agency), Georgios Papagiannis (waived)

The conventional perception is that the Trail Blazers had an underwhelming offseason. Due to their salary cap situation, the team failed to bring in a big-name player to aid Lillard and McCollum. They also let three talented — and well-liked — players walk in free agency. Their response to this was to bring in two rookies and two players on minimum contracts, all guards.

However, their moves make more sense when put in the context of what the team needed. Granted, they failed to add another 3-and-D forward that could be a complement or an upgrade to Maurice Harkless or Al-Farouq Aminu. Still, they managed to check off most of their boxes this summer.

Portland’s most important move of the offseason was re-signing center Jusuf Nurkic to a four-year, $48 million deal. In the short-term, it gives the Blazers stability in the post. Long-term, it solidifies the core trio of Lillard-McCollum-Nurkic at least through the turn of the decade.

Beyond that, the other acquisitions were geared toward spacing the floor so that said trio has more room to create on offense. Curry, Stauskas and Trent have proven to be, if nothing else, talented perimeter shooters. Simons could also be an offensive talent, but Portland drafted him more so for what he can become down the line.

Ed Davis was definitely a tough loss, as his hustle, rebounding and defense were huge positives for the Blazers. However, his game does not fit into this new offensive game plan. Instead, his departure opens up minutes for floor-spacing bigs Zach Collins and Meyers Leonard, putting the onus on them to step up in 2018-19.