The Portland Trail Blazers have been a staple of the NBA since 1970, and over the years they have seen some of the greatest players in the league don their colors. One of the most beloved Blazers was Damian Lillard, who spent nine years with the team before departing in 2021. Lillard was a four-time All-Star, two-time All-NBA selection, and the 2013 Rookie of the Year. He was also the leader of the team, helping to lead them to five playoff appearances and a Western Conference Finals appearance in 2019.
Now that Lillard is gone, the Blazers are looking to build on his legacy and continue to be a competitive team in the Western Conference. They have made a few moves to help them do that, including signing veteran guard CJ McCollum to a four-year extension and trading for center Enes Kanter. McCollum is a three-time All-Star and has been a key part of the Blazers’ success over the past few seasons. Kanter is a veteran big man who can provide scoring and rebounding off the bench.
The Blazers also have a young core of players that they are hoping will help them continue to compete in the West. Guards Anfernee Simons and Gary Trent Jr. are both talented young players who have shown flashes of potential in their brief NBA careers. Forward Nassir Little is another young player who could make an impact for Portland this season.
The Blazers are also hoping that their new head coach Terry Stotts can help them build on Lillard’s legacy. Stotts has been a successful head coach in the NBA for over 15 years, leading teams to the playoffs in 10 of those seasons. He has also been praised for his ability to develop young players and create an offensive system that puts his players in position to succeed.
The Blazers have made some moves this offseason to try and build on Damian Lillard’s legacy, and it will be interesting to see how they fare this season. With a mix of veterans, young players, and a proven head coach, the Blazers could be a team to watch in the Western Conference this year.
