The Portland Trail Blazers are entering a pivotal offseason for their rebuild. While the team has undergone substantial change in recent years, the full teardown is still in progress, meaning the rebuild itself is more pending than progressing.
In a recent breakdown on ESPN’s YouTube channel, front-office insider Bobby Marks outlined where things stand for the Blazers and what to expect. Check out some of his main points here, and check out the full video below.
Where The Blazers Stand Financially
Portland enters the 2025 offseason with 13 players under contract, assuming Matisse Thybulle opts into his deal. That puts them about $11 million below the luxury tax and $17 million under the first apron, giving them some flexibility.
Because they’re under the cap, the Blazers will have access to the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception (around $14.1 million), the bi-annual exception (~$5.1 million), and minimum-salary exceptions. All of these could be key tools in bolstering the roster.
To-Do: Add Shooting
Marks didn’t mince words about the team’s most glaring weakness: three-point shooting. Portland ranked near the bottom of the league last season in efficiency from deep (26th), making it harder for young guards like Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe to operate in space.
In theory, the Blazers could see improvements from their own scorers, including Scoot and Shaedon. That would be ideal, in fact, and it’s something Shapre himself mentioned after finishing 2024-25 shooting a career-low 31.1 percent from deep.
Of course, you can only rely on potential improvements so much, while free agency offers a pool of proven shooters. As Marks put it, signing one is “painfully obvious.” And it could be a crucial part of taking the next step.
Also a Must: Depth on the Wing
Beyond shooting, Portland needs help on the wing. Adding versatile forwards who can defend multiple positions and fit alongside various lineups will be crucial, especially if the team wants to experiment with bigger looks or protect its young stars defensively.
At the same time, internal development remains a focus here (just like shooting). The Blazers aren’t expected to chase big names this summer, but instead aim to balance youth development with smart, targeted additions.
If you ask me, wing depth will probably be what the draft is for, while free agency more specifically targets perimeter scorers.
What About the Vets?
With Chauncey Billups already locked in on a new deal, attention now shifts to veteran players like Anfernee Simons, Deandre Ayton, Robert Williams, and Matisse Thybulle. Whether Portland continues to build around them or explores trade opportunities will have a major impact on both the cap sheet and the rotation.
As of this week, Simons in particular is back in the rumor mill. It’s being reported that the Orlando Magic and Dallas Mavericks, among others, could seek scoring upgrades at guard. He feels like the most likely of the bunch to end up in a trade, but the Blazers could also use clarity at the center spot, which could inspire an Ayton or Williams deal as well.
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