At first glance, the Portland Trail Blazers’ offseason moves look to have set the franchise back. They are considered an up-and-coming team that earned a playoff berth last season for the first time in six years. Ownership responded by not bringing back Thiago Splitter and hiring a cheaper first-time head coach as a cost-cutting procedure.
Portland was considered to be in a strong position to trade for a superstar like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Jaylen Brown. They instead acquired Ja Morant, a polarizing talent whose game is showing decline amid injuries and suspension. His presence could take playing time away from young players the Blazers are trying to develop.
While critics see these as unnecessary risks for what they are building, the Trail Blazers’ transactions make sense for an organization trying to ascend. Here is what they mean for the long-term outlook:
Micah Nori Hire Is A Strong Fit For the Roster
The hiring of Nori was heavily criticized as the new owner, Tom Dundon, was too focused on the bottom line. This was evident in the structure of Nori’s contract, considered around the league as an insult to an NBA head coach’s value.
On the court, Nori is the right man for the job. He has built a reputation for player development that should help maximize the potential of team prospects. He is a long-time assistant coach in the league capable of building a winning program through innovative strategy and strong relationships.
Nori will be able to grow with the franchise as they evolve from a rebuild with promising talent.
Ja Morant Trade Worth The Risk
The deal to get Morant was a surprise, mainly because of the abundance of guards already on the roster. Portland just brought back franchise great Damian Lillard to be their star, which could make for an awkward pairing.
Considering the low price Portland paid, the trade could be a steal if Morant can discover his All-NBA form. Elite talent that can transform a franchise is hard. Only 26 years old, Morant is motivated to put his troubles behind him and give Portland a centerpiece going forward if things work out.
At his best, Morant is an explosive juggernaut on offense that will take his teammates’ game to another level. He will take pressure off Lillard as a primary creator while he works back from injury. He can create easier looks for all-star Deni Avdija and young scorer Shaedon Sharpe. He excels in the pick-and-roll, which bodes well for Donovan Clingan.
Several NBA teams have improved with under-the-radar moves this offseason. The Morant trade could end up as the most impactful.
Retaining Core Players Justifies Portland Trail Blazers’ Offseason Moves
Instead of blowing up the roster to chase stars, the Blazers are betting on another year of development from their young pieces. The plethora of options at guard, forward, and center make for a deep roster on paper.
Jrue Holiday joins Lillard as a veteran presence in the locker room to guide the team. Resigning Robert Williams and pairing him with Clingan gives them strong rim protection at all times. Toumani Camara is one of the top defenders in the league, as well.
The balance gives Nori plenty of lineup combinations, making the Trail Blazers a tough matchup for any team. It patterns after the Oklahoma City Thunder, one of the strongest teams in the NBA.
These offseason moves could be the turning point that moves the team into sustained contention.
