Trail Blazers' 3 Biggest disappointments, 3 Most pleasant surprises of 2023-24 season

Trail Blazers' 3 biggest disappointments this season

Injuries

Portland's No. 1 issue in '23-24 was the health - or lack thereof - of its most important players.

The Blazers were deep at the guard spot heading into the season with Henderson, Sharpe, Anfernee Simons and Malcolm Brogdon. Ayton and Robert Williams III formed a promising center pairing. Jerami Grant, perhaps the team's most versatile offensive player, was returning after signing a $160 million contract.

Scoot, Ayton, Grant, Simons and Brogdon all missed at least 20 games. Williams only played six. After a strong start, Sharpe had surgery and missed the final three months of the year.

Could the Blazers have been fighting for a play-in spot if everyone had been healthy? It's not out of the realm of possibility. But it's disappointing that we'll never know.