Blazers Preview: Intriguing Pieces Apparent, But Identity And Cornerstone May Not Be

Blazers Preview

A look at the Portland Trail Blazers entering the 2024-25 season …

• Coach: Chauncey Billups
• Last Season: 21-61 (failed to make the playoffs)
• New Faces: Deni Avdija, Donovan Clingan, Bryce McGowans
• Notable Losses: Malcolm Brogdon, Ibou Badji, Moses Brown, Ashton Hagans

Overview

The Blazers, one year into life without Damian Lillard, are searching. Not just for wins (those have been scarce), but for something more important — an identity. A cornerstone. A reason for fans to believe that brighter days are ahead.

Sure, Portland has some intriguing pieces. Jerami Grant? Productive. Deandre Ayton? Coming off a strong finish last season. But are either of them the guy you build around? Not likely.

Ayton might not even be around for the long haul, especially with the Blazers drafting Donovan Clingan at No. 7 in June. Grant? As good as he’s been, that $160 million deal will be tough to move, but you can bet GM Joe Cronin will explore his options if a trade partner can be found.

Then there’s Anfernee Simons, who can flat-out score. His shooting and athleticism? Legit. But defensively? He’s a turnstile. And at 6-foot-3, can he really be your top option? If you’re building a contender, the answer’s probably no.

Which brings us to Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson. These two are the wild cards, the players Portland needs to take a leap.

Sharpe looked the part of a future star before injuries derailed his sophomore campaign. Now, after more surgery, he’s expected to miss the start of the season.

Henderson, meanwhile, struggled to finish at the rim and hit a jumper in Year 1. Yes, he’s explosive. Yes, the talent’s there. But until he becomes more efficient, you can’t pencil him in as a franchise cornerstone either.

So, is there a future star on this roster? That’s the million-dollar question, and right now, the answer is murky.

Best case, the vets — Ayton, Grant, Simons  — help provide some stability while Sharpe, Henderson, and Clingan develop. Then, come trade season, Cronin moves a few pieces to free up more minutes for the kids and secure another high draft pick.

For now, though, the Blazers still look like a team in search of that big, bright star.

One thing’s for sure — that player, whoever it is, will have to emerge soon, or Portland might be staring at another long year in the lottery.

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