The NBA season kicks off in just over three weeks, and preseason power rankings are starting to emerge. Bleacher Report and The Athletic both rated the Trail Blazers as improved from last season.
Bleacher Report ranked Portland 13th overall:
The Portland Trail Blazers will be one of the league’s most improved teams after finishing last year four games below .500.
A healthy Jusuf Nurkic will be the biggest reason, but a revamped set of wings will play a big role, as well.
Robert Covington is a perfect fit at either forward position as a 29-year old coming off playoff averages of 11.