After an eventful offseason, the Portland Trail Blazers enter the 2025-26 campaign with a revamped roster in the fifth year under head coach Chauncey Billups.
The highlight of the summer occurred after the organization reunited with Damian Lillard. The team signed Lillard to a three-year, $42 million contract after the nine-time All-Star was waived and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks on July 6.
The Trail Blazers’ all-time leading scorer is expected to miss the season to rehabilitate a torn left Achilles tendon sustained on April 27 with the Bucks. He underwent surgery to repair the injury on May 2 and is expected to make a full recovery.
In addition to signing Lillard, Portland acquired veteran guard Jrue Holiday from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks. The team also signed Blake Wesley to a one-year, guaranteed contract.
The front office also made a splash after selecting Yang Hansen with the 16th pick in the draft. They acquired Yang, along with a 2028 first-round pick and two second-round picks, from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for the draft rights to Cedric Coward (11th pick).
With the team opening training camp on Sept. 30, Rookie Wire examined the Trail Blazers’ depth chart and offered an early projection of the starters and backups entering the season.
PGJrue Holiday: $32,400,000Scoot Henderson: $10,748,040Damian Lillard: $14,104,000*
*Expected to miss the 2025-26 season
SGToumani Camara: $2,221,677Shaedon Sharpe: $8,399,983Blake Wesley: $2,296,274SFDeni Avdija: $14,375,000Matisse Thybulle: $11,550,000Rayan Rupert: $2,221,677PFJerami Grant: $32,000,001Kris Murray: $3,132,000CDonovan Clingan: $7,178,400Robert Williams III: $13,285,713Duop Reath: $2,221,677Yang Hansen: $4,422,360Two-Way ContractsSidy CissokoCaleb Love
Trail Blazers salary information via Spotrac