Portland Trailblazers: Building From Ground Up!

Portland Trailblazers: Building From Ground Up!

The Damian Lillard era has finally ended. For the past decade, Portland has made the playoffs. They even made the conference finals in 2019. Now, it seems like Trailblazers is going in a whole new direction. With Terry Stotts and CJ McCollum leaving the organization, it was time to move on. The team brought in Chauncey Billups to coach. They drafted Scoot Henderson with the third pick in the 2023 draft. Also, making moves like trading away longtime center Jusuf Nurkic. Bringing in new guys like DeAndre Ayton, Robert Williams III, and Malcolm Brogdon. The Trailblazers were hoping for a new franchise player, but it may not be working out well.

What a disappointment DeAndre Ayton has become. From being the first pick in the 2018 draft to having a great playoff run in 2021 to now earning the label of lazy. It is a fall from grace for the big man. People touted him as one of the best big-man prospects since Shaq. But he became a player who turned into a meme. The way he left Phoenix was ugly. He finally had the chance to start over, and he has not. I expected him to become a top-five center and make the All-Star team, but he has not lived up to any of that. Averaging a mediocre 15 points per game and 9 rebounds. A big man who can shoot from three and dominate in the paint should be in the discussion. He should be in the discussion with Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic. It is sad to see that Ayton does not have the motor to be one of the best centers in the league. Portland also made a trade for Robert Williams III and Malcolm Brogdon.

Two of the best off-the-bench players are Malcolm Brogdon and Robert Williams III. Both were keys to the successful Celtics runs over the past few years. Williams is a good pick and roll player who can finish around the rim. Brogdon is good at handling the ball. He is good at passing and can create for himself. But the problem for both players is that they are injury-prone. Guys who struggle to stay healthy. As both players are at the peak of their careers, it would be ideal for the franchise to trade them. But, with their injury record, it will be hard for the team to milk out assets from other teams. Another player who is now at the peak of his career is Jerami Grant.

Jerami Grant has been one of the most consistent forwards in the league. An amazing two-way player who got paid big this offseason. A $160 million deal for five years proves the value of Grant. He is good at taking the ball to the basket. A talented player off the ball on top of that is a very talented weak side defender. Jerami is averaging 21.8 points per game with a 40 percent three-point shooting percentage. His development as an offensive player is incredible. Teams could use a forward like Grant as their third or fourth option for a championship. I would not be surprised if Portland is able to get trade assets for him. Portland has players at the peak of their careers. But one player's career just started.

Portland, with their lottery pick, chose Scoot Henderson. He has had a shaky rookie year as compared to his peers. The media are trying to determine that he is a bust. Which is ridiculous because he is only 20 years old. Scoot has shown signs of being a future All-Star as he dropped 30 points on the Nuggets. He will continue to work on his shooting, which is not a bad problem. Surrounding him with veterans is good for the rookie. Henderson is the future, along with Anfernee Simons.

Anfernee Simons can drive to the basket. He is 39 percent from three this season. Simons is a great shooter and developed his game well behind Damian Lillard. Anfernee is great at creating his own shot. He is only 24 years old and is continuing to improving his game. Now, he has the chance to break through and become a franchise player. He is on his second contract. So, pressure is on him to live up to it and continue being the guard that Portland wants. The rebuilding has started in Portland. They have a solid base to compete in 2-3 years.

The future of the Trailblazers relies on Joe Cronin and Chauncey Billups. Every decision relies on the moves they make and the young players they bring in. Portland has drafted rookies like Kris Murray, Jabari Walker, and Shaedon Sharpe. Along with having veterans like Matisse Thybulle, who is one of the best defenders in the league, Yet he cannot make a shot to save his life. So, he will never get the pay he wants. The draft pick that Portland got from the Celtics and Bucks can get them young players. The future of the Trailblazers is bright. They have now planted a foundation, and we will have to wait to see if they become a good young team or trash.

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