While Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard prefers having the same group of guys year in and year out, he also thinks that change is good for the team.

Portland's tandem of Lillard and C.J. McCollum is still intact. However, they did have a significant turnover of role players surrounding their star back court.

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The Blazers brought in former Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside as part of the sign-and-trade package that sent Jimmy Butler to South Beach. In return, however, Rip City sent Meyers Leonard to the Heat and Maurice Harkless to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Portland also acquired Kent Bazemore from the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for locker room favorite Evan Turner. They also took a flyer on former top five pick Mario Hezonja and added Anthony Tolliver to provide a big that can stretch the floor for them.

However, the Blazers also lost a good number of key pieces from their 2018-19 team that reached the Western Conference Finals. Starting power forward Al-Farouq Aminu signed with the Orlando Magic, reserve guard Seth Curry returned to the Dallas Mavericks, and Enes Kanter went to the Boston Celtics.

Lillard has long believed that having continuity and familiarity is the best way to win a championship. With the balance of power shifting once again to the Western Conference, can the Blazers make another deep run in the playoffs this upcoming season?