The Los Angeles Lakers have been the target of many a Blazers fans’ ire over the years. In more recent years, it’s been easy to hate the Miami Heat given their ill-fated pursuit of Damian Lillard. But as time goes on and the NBA landscape changes, so does the Blazers' place in it.

The Portland Trail Blazers tried to trade Jerami Grant over the offseason. They bought out Deandre Ayton instead, so they could be stuck with Grant for a while. One pundit doesn't think he's going to be very good again this season.

Robert Williams III has played a total of 26 games in his two years with the Blazers. Williams is on an expiring contract, meaning it could make sense for the Blazers to flip him. Portland clearly values him more than a couple of second-round picks, while the injuries have lowered his value.

Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 37 points and 10 rebounds in Greece's 84-79 win over Israel in their round of 16 matchup at the 2025 EuroBasket. The Milwaukee Bucks star also won the hearts of fans with his postgame gesture directed at Israel’s Deni Avdija.

Tom Dundon and a collection of investors reached a tentative agreement to buy the Portland Trail Blazers. Luke DeCock — longtime sports columnist at The News & Observer in Raleigh, North Carolina — joins senior writer Joe Freeman to answer these questions and more.

The Portland Trail Blazers have reached a tentative agreement to buy the team. The news sparked more questions than answers for Blazermaniacs. Luke DeCock, a longtime sports columnist at The News & Observer, answers these questions.

Robert Williams III has played exactly 26 games for the Portland Trail Blazers. The 6’9 big has played 470 total minutes since his arrival in 2023. Williams' contract expires at the end of the season.

Yang Hansen will make his NBA debut for the Portland Trail Blazers next month. Hansen was already a smash hit in Summer League. The Blazers might not be ready for the storm of attention they're about to get.

The Portland Trail Blazers finished as the 16th-best defense in the league last season. Over the first 41 games, the Blazers posted the NBA’s third-worst defense. The team's defense soared to the NBA's third-best with a defensive rating of 110.0.

Deni Avdija and Israel were eliminated by Greece in the Round of 16. Greece moves on to face Lithuania in the quarterfinals. Israel finishes EuroBasket with a 3-3 record. The 6-9 forward is the only current NBA player on the Israel National Team.

Toumani Camara and Jerami Grant made it on HoopsHype's list of the top 26 power forwards heading into the 2025-26 season. Camara was the higher finisher at No. 13 on the list. Grant placed nine spots below Camara at No., 22. The power forwards list is the second-to-last installment of the offseason positional rankings series.

Carmelo Anthony, Dwight Howard, Sue Bird, Maya Moore and Sylvia Fowles inducted. Anthony and Howard were dual-enshrinees as members of the 2008 Olympic men’s basketball team. Moore retired before the 2019 WNBA season to focus on social issues.

The Portland Trail Blazers are currently in the Western Conference. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves are the top three teams in the West. Who would you name as Portland's real competitors this season?

The Portland Trail Blazers re-signed Damian Lillard and traded for Jrue Holiday. Holiday is a two-time champion and six-time All-Defensive Teamer. Lillard is still recovering from an Achilles tendon tear suffered during the first round of the playoffs.

Greece and Israel will play each other in the FIBA EuroBasket 2025. The game will take place in Israel.

Deni Avdija was originally the No. 9 overall pick by the Washington Wizards. He is coming off the best season of his career, averaging 16.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. His strength, ballhandling, playmaking, and three-level scoring are something few can replicate.

Shaedon Sharpe averaged 18.5 points per game last season. The fourth-year guard has borderline All-Star potential. The Portland Trail Blazers are in need of a clear #1 option on offense.

The Portland Trail Blazers are one of at least ten teams projected to have significant cap space in the summer of 2026. The Blazers should pursue Cam Thomas as an ideal replacement for the departed Anfernee Simons. Thomas averaged 24.0 points, 3.8 assists, and 3.3 rebounds last season with the Nets.

Former first-round pick Marjon Beauchamp is looking for a new team after being waived by the Knicks. He reportedly impressed Portland during a recent workout. The Trail Blazers are unlikely to add another player before training camp starts.

The Portland Trail Blazers are in the process of changing ownership. Damian Lillard is likely out for the season and Blake Wesley will spend most of his time on the bench or with the Rip City Remix. The success of the season could come down to the output of four young players.