Trail Blazers News: Roster solidified, team options exercised, injuries continue

With the 2024-25 NBA season finally upon us, teams must make key roster decisions. Here are important deadlines for the Portland Trail Blazers heading into the season, per ESPN's Bobby Marks (subscription required):

• Oct. 21: Deadline to extend contracts of Robert Williams III, Anfernee Simons, and Deandre Ayton

• Oct. 22: Dalano Banton's salary protection jumps from $217,553 to $1,098,485

• Oct. 31: Deadline to exercise team options for Scoot Henderson, Kris Murray, and Shaedon Sharpe

However, the Blazers have already solved many of these essential questions before Wednesday's season opener against the Warriors.

Dalano Banton makes Blazers' 15-man roster

The Blazers entered the preseason with the final spot on the 15-man roster seemingly coming down to either Banton or Devonte Graham. Portland decided to roll with Banton to start the season, as Graham was waived on October 17. Now that Banton is on the opening-night roster, he has a $1.1 million guarantee. The Blazers will owe Banton the other half of his $2.2 million contract if he's not waived by January 10.

Banton took advantage of his increased role with the Blazers last season as they suffered multiple injuries to key players. He could also be relied on for heavier minutes to start 2024-25, with Sharpe and now Matisse Thybulle sidelined.

Team options for Sharpe, Henderson, and Murray

The Blazers are picking up Sharpe's fourth-year rookie option for $8.4 million. Sharpe is expected to miss at least the first seven games as he recovers from a small posterior labral tear in his left shoulder. Still, it's tremendous value for the Blazers to lock in a foundational rebuilding piece for an additional year. Many have high expectations of a breakout season for Sharpe once he returns. If that's the case, Portland may have to sign him to a hefty contract after the 2025-26 season.

Rip City also picked up third-year rookie options for Henderson and Murray for $10.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively. Both had disappointing rookie seasons but showed flashes of potential throughout this preseason. They must improve their consistency and three-point shooting to return value from where they selected in 2023.

Henderson, in particular, could have had a much improved sophomore season; towards the end of last year, he seemed more comfortable with the NBA's physicality and pace of play, and guards typically take longer to adjust to the league.

Thybulle unfortunately out 3-4 weeks

The Blazers will be without arguably the best defender on their team for roughly a month as Thybulle underwent a procedure for his right knee inflammation. Thybulle is on a potential contract year as he has a $11.6 million player option in 2025-26.

This injury is unfortunate timing for both him and the Blazers as they gear up for the start of the season, especially since they have such a difficult start, playing 27 of their first 29 games against Western Conference teams. Portland was already short on wings and will have to rely more heavily on Toumani Camara, who has a similar two-way skillset and performed exceptionally well throughout the preseason.

Get well soon, 'Tisse!