Portland Trail Blazers basketball is almost back! While the Blazers project to be at the bottom of the Western Conference yet again, this is a crucial season for their long-term trajectory. Training camp and preseason games will be especially important this time around as they see how their new additions mesh and how their young roster continues to develop.
Important Blazers preseason dates for 2024-25
September 30: Media day
Media day is when the Blazers' new-look roster, featuring the key additions of Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan, will come together. The team will answer questions, take photos, and give a glimpse into what this season's jerseys will look like, as well as other entertaining team-building activities.
October 1: Training camp
Training camp will be the following day. It's vital for any team, especially a young team like the Blazers, who also have new players to implement into their system. Clingan is a low-maintenance player because he can seamlessly fit into any lineup as long as there is floor spacing. His primary strength comes on the defensive end as a rebounder and rim protector, so he can be highly impactful without needing the ball in his hands or many plays drawn up for him.
Avdija is a great addition, but it could take longer for the offense to click with him in the mix as they see exactly what they have in him and where he best fits into their offensive system. Will he be used primarily on or off the ball? Training camp will be a great chance to solve some of these questions and further develop their up-and-coming players.
October 11-18: Preseason games
The Blazers have four preseason games, giving them more in-game action to help gel the new additions with their young players.
Their first game is on October 11 against the LA Clippers at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, WA. Then, they'll travel to Sacramento to play the Kings on October 13, followed by their first home game against Ratiopharm Ulm (a professional club based in Ulm, Germany) in October. 16. Lastly, they'll stay in Portland for their final preseason game at the Moda Center against the Utah Jazz on October 18.
October 23: Opening night
There's a quick turnaround between preseason and the start of the regular season, as the Blazers will kick off their season at home against the Golden State Warriors less than a week later. Stephen Curry and company are only the start of a grueling schedule for Portland to begin the season.
October 31: Deadline for team options
The Blazers have until the end of October to exercise team options for the following players for the 2025-26 season:
- Scoot Henderson: $10,748,040
- Shaedon Sharpe: $8,399,983
- Kris Murray: $3,132,000
- Rayan Rupert: $2,221,677
Former top-ten picks Henderson and Sharpe will undoubtedly be the headliners. It seems inevitable that Portland will decide to retain both, as they are key cogs in their rebuild.
The Blazers would also be wise to extend Rupert, who is still only 20 years young and has already shown the upside of being a unique playmaking forward hybrid. Given the low risk of the deal, they could also keep Murray around, although he's four years older than Rupert and has been a disappointment relative to his first-round draft cost.
It's encouraging that the Blazers can retain arguably their two most prominent pieces in their rebuild for an additional year at a team-friendly value. However, Sharpe will be eligible for a five-year extension worth over $230 million next offseason. Portland should do everything possible to keep him around for the long haul.
Sharpe has all the tools to become an All-Star in the league but has yet to put them together, which could happen as soon as this season. Despite their projected record, Sharpe's potential breakout year is one of many reasons Blazers fans should be excited about the upcoming season.