The Portland Trail Blazers brought back their all-time greatest player in Damian Lillard, but they will have to rely on other stars next season.
It has been quite an interesting summer for the Portland Trail Blazers. The franchise has made a lot of changes this offseason.
To start things off, the Trail Blazers selected Yang Hansen in one of the more controversial moves in the 2025 NBA Draft.
After buying out Deandre Ayton, the Trail Blazers got to work. But perhaps their biggest move was bringing Damian Lillard back to Portland.
Lillard joins the recently arrived Jrue Holiday as the two veterans on the team. But with the All-Star guard out for the next season, the Trail Blazers will have to wait for over a year to have him suit up.
Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images2025-26 Portland Trail Blazers projected starting lineup
While Damian Lillard recovers from his injury, the Portland Trail Blazers will try to develop their roster to a competitive level for the following season.
This is what their lineup is expected to look like:
Starting LineupSecond UnitJrue HolidayScoot HendersonShaedon SharpeMatisse ThybulleDeni AvdijaJerami GrantToumani CamaraRobert WilliamsYang HansenDonovan Clingan
There might be some concern about making Yang Hansen a starter despite his lack of NBA experience. But given how well Yang performed at the NBA Summer League, he will likely earn his starting spot quickly.
As far as Jerami Grant goes, he is a trade candidate the Trail Blazers have spent a long time trying to get rid of, so his being a rotation player off the bench makes the most sense.
Portland Trail Blazers will continue to be a lottery team next season
Despite their wealth of young talent, the Portland Trail Blazers are going to be a lottery team next season. Their young stars are still developing, and aren’t ready to compete at a high level.
After a shaky rookie season, Scoot Henderson grew into his role coming off the bench for the Trail Blazers. Expect him to continue in that role, but this time under the guidance of Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard.
And if Yang Hansen is the Nikola Jokic-esque talent everyone says he is, he will immediately rise to a prominent role on the team.
The Trail Blazers have a great opportunity to develop their roster this season, before they make a competitive push in 2026 when Lillard returns.