Damian Lillard return headlines Blazers roster as Ja Morant joins backcourt

Damian Lillard returns from an Achilles tear to join new addition Ja Morant in a Portland backcourt following a 42-win season.

Portland enters the 2026-27 season following a 42-win campaign that secured the franchise's first playoff appearance in five years. The roster features the return of Damian Lillard, who missed the entire 2025-26 season due to an Achilles tendon tear. Joining the 36-year-old veteran is two-time All-Star guard Ja Morant, acquired via trade from the Memphis Grizzlies. To facilitate the Morant deal, the Trail Blazers sent forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis. Morant arrives in Oregon after appearing in only 20 games last season due to health concerns.

New owner Tom Dundon has implemented aggressive cost-cutting measures, including sweeping layoffs and the termination of the team's popular broadcasting crew. Dundon, who also owns the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes, has refused to contribute to $600 million in planned upgrades for the Moda Center. He has stated that the city must fund these renovations, a stance that has raised local concerns regarding a potential relocation of the franchise, which has been in Portland since 1970. Amidst these business maneuvers, the team hired Micah Nori in June as head coach under an unconventional year-to-year contract.

Roster Construction and Backcourt Depth

Zach Kram assigned Portland a B- grade for their offseason moves, which included re-signing center Robert Williams III to a contract extension. The Blazers were the only NBA team to sit out the June draft without making a single selection. Instead, the rotation relies on returning production from Deni Avdija, Donovan Clingan, Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, and Shaedon Sharpe. Avdija, an All-Star forward, performed at his peak while playing on the ball last season, creating a potential logjam with the influx of guards.

Coach Nori must manage a rotation that includes five prominent guards: Morant, Lillard, Sharpe, Holiday, and Scoot Henderson. Henderson, a former No. 3 overall pick, enters the final season before he reaches restricted free agency. During five playoff games last year, Henderson transitioned to an off-ball role, recording 13 successful 3-pointers but only six total assists. The team also subtracted Matisse Thybulle from the roster during the offseason transition.

Statistical Projections and Power Rankings

ESPN’s Basketball Power Index ranks Portland at No. 13 heading into the season. The team features seven players projected to have positive Net Points per 100 possessions, the fourth-highest total in the league. However, none of these players are projected to be significantly positive. The top two projected performers are Lillard and Morant, though both carry risks associated with recent missed time. In separate evaluations, the Blazers are ranked No. 18 in the post-free agency Power Rankings.

Betting experts at DraftKings Sportsbook have set the regular-season win total at 43.5. Eric Moody recommends the over at -120 odds, citing the addition of Morant's star power to a team that already achieved 42 wins. While the Lillard-Morant pairing presents defensive questions, the presence of Jrue Holiday is expected to provide necessary perimeter coverage.

Frontcourt Stability and Coaching Challenges

Micah Nori, previously an assistant with the Minnesota Timberwolves, inherits a roster described as heavy on scoring guards but light on frontcourt difference-makers. The retention of Robert Williams III serves as an insurance policy for the injury-prone center. The organization is attempting to build on the momentum of their 2025-26 surprise playoff berth, which was their first since 2021. Despite the on-court additions, longtime employees have expressed misgivings about the internal culture following the ownership change and the ongoing battle with local officials over arena financing.