Scoot Henderson (left) and Shaedon Sharpe will be integral to Portland rising in the West ranks.

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Offseason

• Re-signing: None
• Additions: Deni Avdija (trade), Devonte’ Graham (free agent)
• Draft: Donovan Clingan (No. 7 pick)
• Departures: Malcolm Brogdon (to Wizards)
• Unsigned Free Agents: Ibou Badji, Moses Brown, Ashton Hagans

Last season

In Year One without Damian Lillard, the Blazers produced the expected poor results, struggling to find someone to fill the centerpiece. Combined with a rocky rookie transition by Scoot Henderson and injuries from key players, the Blazers finished with 21 wins, losing 15 of their final 17 games.

None of the most important veteran pieces — Anfernee Simons, Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, etc. — played what could be considered a full season. Therefore, 18 players started at least one game as the Blazers sifted through mostly emerging talent in holding auditions for next season.

Summer summary

Portland added more height by drafting Clingan, the 7-footer whose rapid development helped UConn to another NCAA championship. He was somewhat of an easy choice at No. 7, although the Blazers are suddenly glutted at center.

They also added Avdija for Brogdon and future picks, a seemingly cheap price for the ninth pick in the 2020 Draft. Avdija had an encouraging season in Washington where he averaged 14.7 points (on 50% shooting) and 7.2 rebounds per game, showed confidence in his game and developed as a defender. He’s only 23 and fits Portland’s youth movement.

Rookie profile

Spotlight on

Blazers GM Joe Cronin wants to build around Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and, presumably, Clingan as he begins to shape the Blazers’ future. But there are complications. Cronin couldn’t unload Grant a year after giving him a rich contract extension, seems equally stuck with Ayton (who has low value around the league), and might be forced into a hard decision on coach Chauncey Billups if the Blazers start slowly.

How far can the Trail Blazers go?

For a team with a pair of 20-point scorers (Simons and Grant) and two experienced big men (Ayton and Robert Williams III), the projections aren’t promising. There are gluts at center and guard, which means the Blazers could be, and probably should be, sellers at the February trade deadline, if only to invite some clarity.

As for the playoffs? Not quite. Too many teams are more established and settled and therefore better situated than the Blazers. This appears to be a season in which Portland tries to establish an identity and hopefully, for the Blazers’ sake, receives more consistency from Henderson along with a step-up from Sharpe.

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Shaun Powell has covered the NBA for more than 25 years. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on X.

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