Portland Trail Blazers: 3 big questions after missing the playoffs in 2019-20

The Whiteside question

Firstly, the team has to make a big decision about Hassan Whiteside. The Blazers traded for Hassan last summer and he’s coming off a season in which he averaged 16 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks per game on 62 percent shooting from the field.

There’s no mistaking it, he was productive for the team, but it bears the question: is his presence essential to potential future success for the team? If so, it’s likely going to cost them. Quite frankly, I’m not sure they’d be willing to offer up the big-money, long-term contract that Whiteside is likely going to be seeking on the open market.

At best, there’s only a fair chance that Whiteside will be back on the Blazers next season. Perhaps Whiteside tests the market and he can’t find the long-term contract that he’ll be looking for and maybe the Blazers could give him a short, team-friendly extension.

Short of that happening, I find it hard to believe that Portland will have much interest in tying themselves long-term to Whiteside.