The Portland Trail Blazers are the NBA’s most fascinating team, and nobody knows what to make of them.
Analysts spent all summer debating the value of Ja Morant alongside Damian Lillard. Critics were quick to doubt. Former NBA players like Kevin Garnett and Carmelo Anthony have become loud advocates for the experiment.
Entering the new season, the Trail Blazers have established stars, emerging young talent, real playoff aspirations, and enough unanswered questions to keep the rumor mill running.
Most importantly, they failed to reach a contract extension agreement with Scoot Henderson, which raises more questions than answers for the fourth-year guard.
Overall, the ceiling is high, the possibilities are endless, and the potential for chaos is considerable.
In other words, it’s a pretty good time to make some predictions.
1. Jrue Holiday Will Be Traded
Scoot Henderson suddenly has plenty to prove after entering the season without a contract extension.
A realistic scenario exists in which Scoot outplays Jrue Holiday. When Shaedon Sharpe returns, Portland could find itself with more guards than minutes.
Holiday’s trade value isn’t likely to increase with age.
This season, a legitimate contender would love to add his championship experience, defensive versatility, reliable shooting, and steady decision-making. Portland, meanwhile, could use another forward.
A buyout seems considerably less likely than a trade, but Holiday fits the profile of a veteran ready to finish the season chasing another championship elsewhere.
Although Portland has a few strong trade candidates this season, a Jrue deal seems the best fit. Of course, it won’t happen if the Blazers look like a true contender. But even if they project as a mid-tier playoff squad, GM Joe Cronin (and new ownership) might go for it all, and Jrue would be key.
Ja Morant Will Be Seriously Shopped, but Not Traded
Portland acquired Morant knowing the risks associated with an embattled former superstar. But consider the transaction from another angle.
The Blazers effectively converted Jerami Grant and Kris Murray into a potentially much more valuable asset. If Morant rehabilitates his reputation and rediscovers his All-Star form, that investment could pay off twice.
There’s a universe in which Morant becomes a beloved Trail Blazer for the rest of his career. That’s everyone’s ideal scenario. But another reality—one management and ownership are, of course, considering—is that his restored trade value becomes impossible to ignore, especially once Sharpe returns.
Portland shouldn’t rush either outcome. Expect serious conversations before the deadline, but ultimately, don’t be surprised when they take the opportunity to evaluate Morant beyond this season.
3. Blazers-Pelicans Trade Rumors Will Be Everywhere
New Orleans might become Portland’s most-mentioned hypothetical trade partner.
If Holiday is moved, New Orleans might be the only bad team willing to take him on. After all, he’s a legend in NOLA.
But more realistically, if Portland explores moving Morant, Trey Murphy III is the roster-balancing talent it should target. He offers size, perimeter shooting, and positional versatility, three things this guard-heavy roster needs on paper. We will likely need him after a small sample size by the deadline.
Then, there’s Zion Williamson.
Regardless of what happens with Portland’s backcourt, Williamson figures to remain a popular name in trade speculation. His upside is tantalizing enough that the Blazers will inevitably be connected to him—especially considering new owners predictably shake things up upon arrival. (See: the Ja Morant trade.)
4. Yang Hansen Will Become a Rotation Regular
Don’t expect Yang Hansen to open the season with a guaranteed rotation spot. He might not even establish one before the calendar flips to 2027.
But by the All-Star break, Portland should be moving toward something resembling its postseason rotation, even if that means playing 10 or more players.
Hansen’s development needs to become part of that equation. His passing instincts, size, and offensive creativity give Portland a different look behind Donovan Clingan. His highlight reels also make him look quicker off the block, on offense and defense.
Of course, highlight reels are just that. They’re not full-game tape and never tell the whole story.
Still, while there will be defensive growing pains and minutes won’t necessarily be easy to find, Hansen will earn a consistent second-half role rather than spend another season collecting occasional appearances.
That has to be the way at this point. If it doesn’t work, figure out how to move on. But if you don’t try, you’ll never know.
5. Damian Lillard Will Lead the NBA in Three-Pointers Made and Attempted
Lillard has never been a career 40 percent three-point shooter. But his role this season could be unlike anything we’ve previously seen.
Consider Stephen Curry, who remains an exceptional ball-handler and individual creator but is also basketball’s premier relocation shooter. If Lillard incorporates more of that movement into his game, Portland’s offense could become extraordinarily difficult to defend.
Morant and Avdija can initiate possessions, attack defenses and create advantages without requiring Lillard to dominate the ball. That freedom should produce a steady diet of catch-and-shoot opportunities, relocation threes and familiar deep pull-ups.
Expect unprecedented volume, with enough efficiency to lead the league in both attempts and makes. And expect a third 3-Point Contest Trophy at All-Star Weekend.
6. Donovan Clingan Will Earn First-Team All-Defense Honors
Clingan probably won’t become a Most Improved Player finalist, but his third season could establish him as one of the league’s most impactful centers.
I’m predicting a top-three finish in rebounding, with a legitimate chance to lead the league. His shot-blocking numbers should also rank among the NBA’s best. And while more minutes would strengthen his Defensive Player of the Year candidacy (though Victor Wembanyama seemingly owns that award until further notice), the bigger surprise could come on offense. Clingan will confidently attempt open threes, connect on riskier passes, and become a more versatile offensive contributor.
None of that necessarily makes him an All-Star. It could, however, establish him as Portland’s most irreplaceable player, even if he isn’t its best.
7. Portland Will Make the Playoffs as the West’s No. 4 Seed
Oddsmakers aren’t treating Portland like a championship contender, and a fourth-place finish in the West would significantly exceed expectations.
But the Blazers are being underrated.
The biggest reason? Almost nobody is talking about how Lillard directly addresses one of Portland’s most glaring weaknesses from last season: shooting.
No—they didn’t trade for a Trey Murphy, but Lillard’s return takes shooting pressure off ball-handlers like Deni Avdija, and you can even view Vít Krejčí as a potential threat if he gets comfortable in his first full season with the team.
By the way, this might be the deepest, most balanced roster Lillard has ever played on, even with a crowded guard rotation and concerning depth at forward. The trades discussed above could address those weaknesses and make a top-four finish considerably more realistic. But Portland was already a playoff team last season. Its young core should improve, its offensive ceiling is higher, and there’s little reason to expect meaningful regression.
At this point, the Blazers aren’t just trying to sneak into the postseason like they did last season, because they’re capable of hosting a first-round series. That has to be the goal.
Lock in San Antonio and OKC as the first two seeds out West, and then the Minnesota Timberwolves feel like the safest bet for No. 3.
After that, though? It’s a crapshoot in the wild, wild West.
I’m taking the Blazers over the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, or Dallas Mavericks for No. 4.
This is about to be a special season.
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