Don’t be so surprised if you saw Jusuf Nurkic on the floor next season looking a lot slimmer than what he looked like last year.

The Portland Trail Blazers' seven-footer has put in a tremendous amount of gym work this offseason to cut his weight from 309 pounds down to just 275 pounds according to Jason Quick of CSNNW.com.

When the Bosnian 7-footer arrived in Portland last February, he was 309 pounds, unconditioned and mostly, unknown.

Today, one week from the start of Trail Blazers training camp, Nurkic is 275 pounds, fit, and one of the centerpieces of a team that has once again adopted an attitude of proving naysayers wrong.

For visual evidence, Nurkic has posted several images on his Instagram account showing a greatly trimmed-down 23-year-old Bosnian.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWiOtB4AYQp/

Article Continues Below
Related News
New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson (11) talks to center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) in the second half against the Detroit Pistons during game six of first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena.
What Knicks must do to pull off 3-1 miracle vs. PacersDavid Rooney ·
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Luguentz Dort (5) during the third quarter in game five of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
Julius Randle’s promise after ‘grieving’ Timberwolves’ Game 5 loss hints at futureMalik Brown ·
image thumbnail
Nets hosting sleeper prospect for pre-draft workout after stellar combine performanceErik Slater ·
Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault speaks to the media after game four of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images
Why NBA Finals trip is bittersweet for Thunder’s Mark DaigneaultNathan Yasis ·
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) looks on with Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) against the Golden State Warriors in the first half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Timberwolves’ Mike Conley reason Anthony Edwards is ‘hurt’ by WCF lossYasmin Edañol ·
Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) drives to the basket past Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Target Center.
Warriors’ Jimmy Butler earns massive Stephen Curry crunch-time praiseMiguel La Torre ·

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYIUNztgJ13/

This is a welcome sight for the Blazers, who are counting on Nurkic to be the anchor of the team’s frontline. The Blazers have a terrific backcourt tandem of Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, so Nurkic developing into a better player this upcoming season could put the team right into contention of a playoff spot. They made it to the playoffs last season as the eighth seed.

Jusuf Nurkic showed promise for the Blazers last season when he played 20 games for the team and averaged 15.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks after being traded from the Denver Nuggets to Portland in exchange for Mason Plumlee and a second-round pick.

Unfortunately, Nurkic wasn’t able to finish the season due to a leg injury. With how he’s been getting in shape this offseason, however, it seems Nurkic is all set to see action again.