These final six games of the season and the subsequent Play-In Tournament will be a test for the Portland Trail Blazers to see where they truly are in their rebuilding process.
Portland will face two playoff-like games before the play-in, with matchups against the Los Angeles Clippers on March 31 and April 10. The Blazers find themselves 1.5 games back from the Clippers for the eighth seed, so these games could determine seeding in the Play-In Tournament and ultimately whether Portland has a realistic chance of returning to the postseason.
Regardless of the outcome, it will be a crucial learning experience for their young core. That lack of experience should give the Clippers the upper hand, but the Blazers will find out a lot about themselves over the next few weeks.
Blazers' rebuild is about to face its biggest test yet
There have been so many question marks surrounding this rebuild, many of which have lingered because they've been one of the most injured teams in the league. Injuries, unfortunately, will also play a factor in their playoff chances, as Portland will be without two of its leading scorers, Shaedon Sharpe and Jerami Grant. There are potentially a few silver linings to that, depending on how you view Portland's season and long-term outlook.
These remaining games will likely divide the fanbase. Some are understandably eager to see their team end a four-year playoff drought; others want them to keep their lottery-protected first-round pick in a strong draft class instead of an inevitable short series against a team like the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round.
There's no right answer, but we find ourselves rooting for the postseason at this point. It's simply more enjoyable to root for this team to win games. If they fall short of that? That's cool too, and our excitement will turn more towards the draft in a loaded class.
We see the argument for both sides, but the reality is that this Blazers rebuild is in a good place regardless. If they make the postseason, it will be because their young core has proven they are ready to step up in a playoff-like atmosphere.
With these injuries, Portland will have to rely on Scoot Henderson in particular down the stretch to generate more offense. It's finally a chance to get some answers about what has been an enigma over the past three seasons and the cloud hanging over the Blazers' entire rebuild.
If they don't make the postseason? Adding another draft pick to that young core will only help strengthen it. And with Damian Lillard's gap year, this was going to be a transitional season anyway.
In the scheme of things, whether Portland misses the playoffs or gets booted in the first round really isn't going to matter. The experience, and most importantly, the evaluation, is what this team needs the most.
With Tom Dundon officially purchasing the franchise, this team needs clarity now more than ever. We're about to find out whether their young core is ready and, if not, what they need to address this pivotal offseason to get ready.