NBA Restart: How reworked rosters will shape the Western Conference

8th: Portland Trail Blazers (↑1)

For Blazers fans, seeing Portland’s frontcourt back to full strength is a breath of fresh air.

For the rest of the NBA, not so much.

After being sidelined for 16 months and nine months respectively, Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins have both made their returns to the lineup are recovering from injuries.

Nurkic, who has been sidelined after a nasty left leg fracture since March of 2019, will be a welcome addition back to the lineup. Taking the load off of Hassan Whiteside, Nurkic playing the center spot has proven that he can be an efficient inside scorer and dominant force in the painted area.

"“Right now, I would like to see Nurk’ and Hassan Whiteside out there together, and we can make decisions after that,” head coach Terry Stotts said when asked about the return of the big man."

Zack Collins, who also recently rehabbed his surgically-repaired left shoulder, has returned to scrimmage action for the Blazers and has not experienced any limitations thus far.

Compensating for the now deep frontcourt, Carmelo Anthony has taken the time over the break to shed some extra weight to play the small forward position. The move will allow Collins space back into the rotation and gets Melo back to a shooting spot on the floor.

There are a few notable omissions for the Blazers, this restart. New signing Trevor Ariza will be  unavailable in Orlando after the vet opted out of the remainder of the season. Ariza has been useful for the team this season averaging 11 PPG in Portland in 34 minutes per game. Look for Melo to pick up his minutes at the small forward spot.

Rodney Hood also remains out for the season, still recovering from an Achilles injury and hopes to be ready to go for training camp next season.

Overall, the Blazers are going to need a near-perfect run to snag the final spot in the West. 3.5 games back and with only eight remaining, Portland is going to need consistency from the back-court of C.J. McCollum and Damian Lillard. If they find they’re game early, Portland is going to require the returns to the lineup to learn quickly and fit into the offense.

If they can pull it off, this team has the talent when healthy to contend at the top of the conference. Definitely a team to watch.