Despite losing head coach Chauncey Billups one game into the season and being one of the league's most injury-riddled teams, the Portland Trail Blazers managed to return to the postseason for the first time in their rebuild.
Interim head coach Tiago Splitter deserves a ton of credit for keeping this young and inexperienced team together in what easily could've been a lost season. It's also a testament to the growth Portland's young core has taken, particularly with Deni Avdija's first All-Star appearance. It shouldn't come as a surprise that Portland's in the postseason the first year they have floor raiser Jrue Holiday, either.
This 2026-27 season hasn't even started yet (though the schedule was released, in case you missed it), yet the Blazers are already presented with new challenges to overcome for this season.
Offseason moves give Portland a wider range of outcomes
The offseason moves made by GM Joe Cronin and new owner Tom Dundon may have brought in more talent headlined by Ja Morant, but it's quite the questionable fit alongside both Avdija's ascension and Damian Lillard's return.
Micah Nori may have finally gotten his long-overdue first NBA head coaching gig after 28 years of experience. But it's a bet on himself in more ways than one.
First, it's the heavily criticized unique structure of the deal itself. And although Nori is excited about the rare opportunity for a first-year head coach to take on a roster coming off a postseason appearance, the downside is taking on high, immediate expectations.
In all likelihood, Portland will be a play-in team once again, as they seem destined to finish in that 7-10 range in the Western Conference. But escaping it entirely could be a goal to shoot for.
Blazers should attempt to escape the play-in entirely
Portland now has the talent to potentially join the tier of teams like the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers in the West, still attempting to close in on the likes of the second tier of teams such as the Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets.
Still, making the playoffs is far from guaranteed. The offseason may have been headlined by superstar movement in the Eastern Conference, but compared to last season, the West is still deeper. Teams like the Utah Jazz and Dallas Mavericks could take significant leaps forward this season.
There's also the wider range of outcomes attached to how Blazers' offseason moves will fit. Morant brings more star power and playmaking for cheap, but that comes at the expense of Portland's existing floor spacing problems and established defensive identity. Plus, he could potentially get in the way of Avdija's continued growth, as Morant is another playmaker at his best getting downhill with the ball in his hands.
There are a lot of questions and storylines surrounding Portland's 2026-27 season. Ultimately, the added talent in the backcourt should make this a better team overall, especially now that they are healthy. Still, that's not likely to make a meaningful enough impact in their Western Conference picture.
Prediction: 46-36
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