The Portland Trail Blazers barely missed the final Play-In spot last season after a late push and they will now look to compete for at least a Play-In spot during the 2025-26 season.
For Portland, they will enter the new season led by their core of Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Scoot Henderson and Donovan Clingan, and they also made some key additions to their roster this offseason.
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The Trail Blazers began their offseason by selecting Yang Hansen in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft and they then sent Anfernee Simons to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Jrue Holiday.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0)© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
Portland also reunited with Damian Lillard in free agency after he was waived by the Milwaukee Bucks and they bought out Deandre Ayton, allowing him to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers.
With these moves, the Trail Blazers are looking to make a run at a playoff spot in the Western Conference this season, though they could also look to make more moves ahead of the trade deadline.
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Bucks Could Show Interest in Jrue Holiday
One player Portland could move this season is Holiday as the veteran guard could draw interest from multiple teams around the NBA in need of depth at the point guard position.
Boston Celtics guard Jrue HolidayBob DeChiara-Imagn Images
A team that could show interest in Holiday this season is his former team in the Bucks, whom he helped lead to a championship in 2021 with F Giannis Antetokounmpo.
Mock Trade Sends Jrue Holiday to Bucks for Kyle Kuzma
© Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
In a potential trade, the Trail Blazers could send Holiday to the Bucks in exchange for Kyle Kuzma, Ryan Rollins and draft capital.
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For Portland, swapping Holiday for Kuzma and Rollins could be a solid move, though they may not want to acquire Kuzma after his struggles at the end of last season.
Milwaukee Bucks forward Kyle Kuzma© Benny Sieu-Imagn Images
If that is not the case, adding Kuzma would upgrade Portland’s forward rotation as he would give them another solid scorer who averaged 14.9 points per game last season.
Portland could also look to move Kuzma later down the road if his fit does not work out, which could net them more young talent and draft capital.
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For Rollins, he would give the Trail Blazers another solid young point guard who is coming off the best season of his career last year as he averaged 6.2 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.
Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan RollinsKirby Lee-Imagn Images
The 23-year-old could also be a solid replacement for Holiday as a backup for Henderson until Lillard returns next season from injury.
Despite this, Portland may not want to take on Kuzma’s salary in this deal and if that is the case, a reunion for the Bucks and Holiday may be out of the question.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Sep 24, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.