The dream starting 5 for the Trail Blazers 5 years from now
By Reese Kunz
SF: AJ Dybantsa
In this best-case scenario, the Blazers extend their rebuilding efforts for one more season of tanking and come away with forward AJ Dybantsa. He's currently the top-rated high school prospect and reclassified from the 2026 to 2025 class, meaning he will be eligible for the 2026 NBA Draft.
The Blazers already have a starting caliber forward in Deni Avdija, who they acquired from the Washington Wizards this offseason in the Malcolm Brogdon deal. Still, his upside is more limited than Dybantsa's, who has the potential to make multiple All-Star appearances. Avdija's versatility and well-rounded game would make him perfect for coming off the bench in a sixth-man role for a playoff contender, as he could spell multiple players and positions.
Dybantsa is 6-foot-8 and a talented three-level scorer who already has an excellent feel for the game and makes others play at his pace by changing speeds and finding optimal angles, somewhat similar to Luka Doncic in that sense. Carlos Boozer's son, forward Cameron Boozer, will also be in contention for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. But Dybantsa gets the nod early on as his style of play as someone who can initiate offense gives him more potential to be a superstar at the NBA level.
If the Blazers are fortunate enough to add someone of Dybantsa's caliber in 2026, they can start accelerating their rebuilding process and try to contend for the playoffs in the 2026-27 season. It also helps that they have future first-round picks and swaps from the Milwaukee Bucks as part of the Damian Lillard deal, which could be extremely valuable due to the Bucks' aging roster. That would potentially give Portland more lottery picks even if they decide to compete for a playoff spot.