5 Things To Watch For During Portland Trail Blazers Preseason

We’re less than one week away from Portland Trail Blazers basketball. 

We. Are. So. Close.  

Portland opens the 2026 preseason at home against Golden State on Oct. 7, then hosts the London Lions on Oct. 12. All before the team hits the road, visiting Sacramento on Oct. 13, and finally wrapping up against Golden State, this time in San Francisco, on Oct. 16. 

The Trail Blazers’ preseason won’t answer every question about a team carrying bigger expectations than it has in recent years. But it will offer a first, real look at one of the NBA’s most fascinating franchises entering 2026-27. 

With Damian Lillard returning, Ja Morant arriving, and Micah Nori taking over as head coach, four preseason games should offer clues about what comes next.

What should we be watching for when the Trail Blazers tip off? 

Let’s dive in. 

What MIGHT the Guard Rotation Look Like?

Nobody should expect regular-season rotations throughout preseason. But the combinations will tell us a lot out of the gate.

Lillard said Tuesday that, “as far as I know,” he, Morant and Deni Avdija will start. Nori cautioned that “nothing is set in stone” and emphasized that closing lineups matter more than starting ones.

But that leaves plenty to monitor, with Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson needing not just minutes but touches—and trust—early in this process. 

Overall, questions like “Who complements the starters?” and “Who directs the second unit?” define early-season storylines. How often Portland leans on Holiday’s reliability instead of Scoot’s potential will also be intriguing.

The initial preseason pairings should help reveal whether shooting, downhill pressure, or defensive balance shapes this crowded backcourt’s identity. 

The backcourt isn’t the only rotation question, of course. But it’s by far the most important, and it’s what’s on fans’ minds.

Just a Damian Lillard TEASER

A Lillard pick-and-roll in a Blazers jersey will be worth watching on its own. 

But after missing last season while recovering from a torn Achilles, seeing him organize a possession, pass, relocate, and bury a catch-and-shoot three off a curl will feel significant.

Portland doesn’t need to unveil its entire offense around Dame in four preseason games, and it shouldn’t demand heavy minutes. The appeal is watching him get loose, rediscover his rhythm, and start connecting with Morant.

This season, Lillard can return to the league’s upper tier in three-point makes, with other creators on the team generating their own opportunities in isolation, as well as looks for Dame when defenses collapse. 

October should provide a teaser of all that possibility. And because a few familiar flashes from Lillard will be enough for fans to chew on, the full arsenal can wait.

Is Donovan Clingan Stretching the Floor?

Donovan Clingan’s jumper has already become a larger part of his professional game than it was at UConn.

Last season, Clingan shot 34.1 percent from three on 3.2 attempts per game. That’s nothing to ignore for a 22-year-old otherwise known for rebounding and rim protection.

If Clingan can gradually improve his efficiency—and maybe even his volume- a legit deep ball would be the organic growth the Blazers need. Portland finished 28th in three-point percentage at 34.3 percent a year ago. 

And ultimately, the bigger payoff could be spatial, with opposing centers following Clingan beyond the arc, giving wing rim-finishers more room to attack.

Is Yang Hansen Getting Time?

Yang Hansen’s Summer League flashes earned attention, and now, preseason offers a tougher test against NBA competition.

I’m more curious about whether the team is willing to play him in these exhibition games than I am about his production. Does he get meaningful opportunities alongside players expected to contribute during the regular season? Does he play in minutes that look like rotations we’ll see not just in garbage time but in meaningful minutes in November, December, and beyond?

Then, and only then, comes the substance: Can he process defensive coverages quickly, handle physical contact, and turn his passing instincts into productive possessions? A clever assist will be fun. But reliable screening, positioning, and defensive recovery would say more about his readiness.

How Does Deni Avdija Fit Alongside Dame and Ja?

Avdija says his troublesome back is “99.9%” healthy. At this point, we’ll believe him, even knowing how chronic back problems can become after you’ve sustained your first real injury. 

Assuming Avdija is healthy, the question becomes: How does Portland preserve his influence alongside two established lead guards?

At this point, it’s all about chemistry, not overlapping styles and Nori’s overall offensive identity. Nori has identified pace, ball security, and offensive rebounding as priorities. Morant already reports getting more catch-and-shoot opportunities in practice. And Lillard spent the late part of the offseason promoting his long ball on social media, teasing what some expect to be an epic year from distance. 

Here’s the question(s): Will Avdija still initiate possessions? Can all three create advantages without taking turns watching each other? Has Avdija improved his own three-pointer at all, making him a more valuable off-ball piece alongside Lillard and Morant? 

During the preseason, watch who pushes after rebounds, who cuts when a teammate drives, who is hitting open looks, and whether the ball keeps moving. 

Those details will offer the first evidence of an offense built around their collective strengths. 

And it will give us a whole new batch of things to watch for when the regular season tips off at home against the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday, October 21.