The NBA offseason is slowing down, and Blazers fans are shifting their focus to next season, especially now that the 2024-25 schedule has officially been released. The Blazers' training camp will begin on October 1. They will have ten days between the start of training camp and their first preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers, which will be played at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington.
Key dates surrounding training camp
Media Day
Media Day takes place on Monday, September 30, for all NBA teams except the Celtics and Nuggets (who have it scheduled for September 24 because they are playing in the NBA Abu Dhabi Games). It offers fans insights into their team's revamped rosters after their offseason moves. Rip City fans will see new additions Deni Avdija and Donovan Clingan in Blazers' jerseys, player interviews, and team-building activities.
Preseason game schedule
Date | Opponent | Time (PT) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Oct. 11 | @ Clippers | 7 p.m. | Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle, WA) |
Oct. 13 | @ Kings | 3 p.m. | Golden 1 Center |
Oct. 16 | vs. Ratiopharm Ulm | 7 p.m. | Moda Center |
Oct. 18 | vs. Jazz | 7 p.m. | Moda Center |
Storylines to watch during training camp
New player integrations
Some key storylines to watch for the Blazers' training camp and preseason games will be how the new additions of Avdija and Clingan integrate into their roster. Avidja took on multiple offensive roles with the Wizards, and something to monitor with the Blazers will be how heavily he is relied on as a playmaker and where he falls within the offensive hierarchy. Avdija significantly improved his three-point shooting last season, and Blazers fans will also have to keep an eye on whether last year was a fluke season in that department or a sign of things to come.
Clingan showcased his immediate defensive impact as a rebounder and rim protector in the Summer League. Still, he's the type of player who will significantly benefit from having playmakers like Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons give him easier looks on offense.
Health and conditioning updates
Robert Williams III is the primary Blazers player to monitor regarding his injury recovery. The big man was limited to only six games last season with the Blazers, undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right knee. There hasn't been much chatter lately about Williams' injury recovery. At the beginning of July, Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report mentioned, "Williams' rehab is going well, and he's expected to be ready to go for training camp in the fall."
Williams is a potential trade candidate, as the Blazers currently have four centers on their roster. However, Highkin notes that "coming off a surgery that cost him almost the full season, teams may want to wait until the deadline to see if he can stay on the floor before offering real value for him." Hopefully, Williams will return to his elite defensive form and remain healthy, but training camp will be the first glimpse of his progress.