4 Things to watch for during Trail Blazers 2023 NBA Summer League

While the writing may have been on the wall for a few months, last week was a seismic shift for the Portland Trail Blazers. While the team is supposed to be preparing for the 2023 NBA Summer League, the franchise was rocked by a Damian Lillard trade request right after they agreed to a monstrous deal with Jerami Grant.

Lillard’s departure had been rumored for months, turned up to a feverish pitch once the team selected Scoot Henderson in the 2023 NBA Draft instead of flipping the pick for a win-now veteran.

Still, the shock of Lillard demanding a trade, specifically to the Miami Heat, represents the end of a distinct era in Trail Blazers history.

Fans are about to get their first glimpse of the new-look Trail Blazers

As one era ends, however, another is about to begin. The unknown horizon for the Blazers looms ahead starting in Las Vegas, where the team’s summer league team is about to tip off on July 7. The roster mixes recent draft picks, past projects, and some true fliers for the team to potentially develop.

With so much uncertainty incoming for the Blazers and not much of it positive, there are many reasons for fans to be excited about summer league, given it may be the only thing they can get excited about at this juncture.