Portland Trail Blazers 2026-2027 guide
There is a lot to figure out in Portland, perhaps too much to solve in a single year. While this team’s future will largely depend on trades, let’s see what we can get from them on Dunkest
With Damian Lillard back healthy and available, there is already a different feel around Portland. Sure, they have four point guards, two on the older side and two who are among the biggest question marks of the season, but this team can no longer be taken lightly.
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Key players
We called it, and it happened: Donovan Clingan (C, 13.0 cr) showed the improvement we expected without Ayton standing in his way. He averaged a double-double while providing nearly 28 PDK per night. Keep an eye on his progress from beyond the arc too: he shot 34% on four times the volume, and if he keeps going in this direction, even a few three-point bonuses could be within reach.
Damian Lillard (G, 13.0 cr) is the heart and soul of the Trail Blazers, and despite his age and a year away, he seems more motivated than ever between shooting contests, workouts and public comments. In what some described as a “down year” with the Bucks, he still played 36 minutes per game and averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds – not bad at all.
If we add to those two a Deni Avdija (F, 14.5 cr) coming off an important season as one of the team’s main pillars, one in which he showed all of his qualities, and who will finally have a true playmaker beside him, it becomes clear why Portland could surprise people.
Potential surprises
We wanted to get off the Hansen Yang (C, 4.0 cr) bandwagon, but once again Summer League brought “Hansen-Mania” back to life in our hearts. Averages of 13 points, 9.2 rebounds and 44.4% from three reignited interest in him, and on a roster full of question marks, at just 4 credits and with Robert Williams III often unavailable, maybe his time has finally come.
Players to avoid
Ja Morant (G, 13.0 cr), after several seasons marked by physical and off-court issues, will try to turn the page in Portland. While the talent has never been in question, it is hard to imagine a team with more alternatives at his position, and with coach Nori’s comments seemingly pointing toward a bench role for him, we expect his statistical production to decline this year.
Projected starting five
PG: Damian Lillard (Guard, 13.0 Credits)
SG: Jrue Holiday (Guard, 9.0 Credits)
SF: Toumani Camara (Forward, 9.5 Credits)
PF: Deni Avdija (Forward, 14.5 Credits)
C: Donovan Clingan (Center, 13.0 Credits)
Power Ranking
The loss of coach Splitter will be felt, as will the absence of an intriguing player like Sharpe, and future trades will have a major impact on the direction of these Trail Blazers. The group of Avdija, Camara and Clingan is growing, and adding Lillard never hurts, but even with all of that, we still see them, just like last year, fighting for a spot in the Play-In race.
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