The 2025/2026 NBA regular season is still months away. However, teams such as the Portland Trail Blazers are heading into it filled with positivity thanks to a young core, a higher draft pick (11th place), and the team’s constant development. But can this impact how they rank in the competitive Northwest Division?
In this guide, we’ll examine the Trail Blazers’ outlook for the coming season and their performance in the just-concluded season, as well as offer insights into how well they might fare.
An overview of the 2024/2025 Season
In the 2024/2025 season, Portland didn’t fare so well statistically. They ranked at the bottom of the pile of teams with the most field goal percentage, three-point shooting, and free throw accuracy, placing 26th in all three metrics.
These shortfalls were reflected in their performances throughout the season, with Portland regularly losing by narrow margins. However, this is a theme with most teams in the rebuilding stage. So, while the Trail Blazers didn’t fare so well last season, their numbers highlight an improvement. Something they will hope continues in the future.
Their season wasn’t all dismal, though. Head coach Chauncey Billups improved his in-game management, propelling his team to some memorable wins (especially their season-ender against the LA Lakers). Scoot Henderson also showed glimpses of brilliance as the season progressed, with the most notable being against the Brooklyn Nets, where he scored 39 points. Furthermore, Toumani Camara also made an impact on the team, with his stellar defensive skills earning him the Defensive Player of the Month award in February.
The team finished with a 36-46 win-loss record. While this wasn’t enough to make the playoffs, it was better than the previous season’s 21-61. The Blazers finished fourth in the Northwest Division and 12th in the Western Conference.
Young core led by veteran mentor
The team’s goal for the 2025/2026 season revolves around building the team around youth while maintaining a competitive edge. Scoot Henderson is expected to play a major role in the team with his scoring and distribution attributes. His development will impact how the Portland Trail Blazers fare next season. You’ll be able to keep up with the Portland Trail Blazers on a match-by-match basis on Sportytrader. There are expert NBA picks for today’s games offered on the site, as well as helpful tips for betting on the NBA.
Another name that’ll factor heavily into the Trail Blazers’ rebuild is Shaedon Sharpe, a consistent scorer. If he stays healthy for the majority of next season, Portland’s offense will be lethal and disorient other teams. Add this to the development of Toumani Camara, and role players such as Jabari Walker and the Trail Blazers’ game should improve tremendously.
Jerami Grant, who joined the team in a contract worth $160 million in 2023, is the veteran leader who brings experience and stability to a young Blazers locker room.
The team’s draft and cap situation
The Portland Trail Blazers hold the 11th pick in the 2025 NBA draft. This puts them in a prime position to secure a young talent that’ll boost the team’s overall standing. Most predictions link the Blazers with Arizona’s Carter Bryant, a scorer with great defensive instincts. While Carter is Portland’s most likely pick, there’s a chance that the team will go with Noa Essengue, a forward known for his fluidity and multi-positional defending.
The Northwest Division remains brutal
The Northwest Division of the NBA ranks among the toughest, featuring teams with the league’s finest offensive and defensive players. Oklahoma City Thunder, who’ve emerged as NBA winners, topped the division, followed by the Denver Nuggets. The Minnesota Timberwolves finished in third place, and Portland only performed better than the Utah Jazz.
Realistically, the best the Blazers can finish next season is third, and that’s if they have a good season. The reason is that OKC and the Nuggets are among the best NBA teams, with star players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokic leading the charge. If they can rank ahead of Minnesota, that would still be considered a success.
From a realistic POV, it’s unlikely that the Portland Trail Blazers will finish in the Northwest Division’s top spots, considering the level of competition they have to face: The Oklahoma City Thunders, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota. Nonetheless, Portland is building. They might not have the flashiest of teams yet, but they’ve got a young and hungry squad that could easily develop into a real threat. They performed better in 2024 than they did the previous year, and they can go even further this time around.
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