Portland Trail Blazers Articles - Page 2

The Portland Trail Blazers find themselves in a unique position, straddling the line between rebuilding and competing, without fully committing to either. They’ve brought back Damian Lillard for a last chapter in Rip City, traded for the championship-tested Jrue Holiday, and added Chinese phenom Yang Hansen with their 2025 lottery pick this offseason. On paper, they now […]

The Portland Trail Blazers are finally moving forward, at least on paper. After four consecutive seasons without a playoff appearance, they’ve pivoted toward a new identity that blends the promise of youth with the leadership of veterans. The return of Damian Lillard, the acquisition of Jrue Holiday, and the selection of Chinese phenom Yang Hansen […]

The Portland Trail Blazers made a major splash in free agency with the signing of Damian Lillard. Following a buyout from the Milwaukee Bucks, Lillard made the decision to return to the only franchise he had ever known prior to the 2023 trade. Lillard is expected to sit out this upcoming season as he rehabs […]

Veteran guard Jrue Holiday praised rookie big man Yang Hansen during a recent conversation with Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report, calling the 20-year-old center a “superstar” for his early performance with the Portland Trail Blazers. “He’s been a superstar. He’s been hooping,” Holiday told Highkin while reflecting on Hansen’s presence in Las Vegas […]

The Portland Trail Blazers may have uncovered a gem in Yang Hansen. The 7-foot-1 Chinese center has turned heads at the 2025 NBA Summer League. But Yang Hansen’s early flashes of brilliance have already drawn comparisons to a familiar figure, Yao Ming. The former Rockets star dazzled with skill and size, yet saw his career […]

The Portland Trail Blazers acquired Deni Avdija from the Washington Wizards via trade in the summer of 2024. Since then, Avdija has become a bit of a fan favorite while the franchise rebuilds the roster. However, although he likes being in Portland now, Avdija admits he felt betrayed by Washington when the trade initially went […]

The Portland Trail Blazers have an intriguing collection of young talent, including forward Deni Avdija, whom the team acquired at the trade deadline from the Washington Wizards during the 2023-24 season. One rather strange storyline circulating around Avdija is his rumored beef with Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James. The rumor seems to have come […]

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard is expected to sit out the entire 2025-26 season due to his Achilles injury. While he is out of commission, his primary role will be to mentor his younger teammates, including rookie Yang Hansen. The 20-year-old center from China impressed in the NBA Summer League, showing off his versatility, […]

The Portland Trail Blazers now feature one of the league’s most respected veteran backcourts following a whirlwind series of offseason moves. When the Milwaukee Bucks waived Damian Lillard earlier this month, the move stunned much of the NBA. But what caught even more attention was the immediate message Lillard received from Jrue Holiday, who had […]

The Portland Trail Blazers have had an eventful month, from the drafting of Yang Hansen to the return of Damian Lillard in free agency at the end of Summer League. Portland appears to be a team on the rise, especially as their young talent continues to develop and Lillard rehabs his torn Achilles injury. Yang […]

In a survey of 20 anonymous NBA executive and scouts, Brooklyn Nets’ Egor Demin, the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft, received the most votes for prospect with the biggest reach. Portland Blazers’ No. 16 overall pick, Yang Hansen, came in second, losing 7-4 in votes. Demin showcased his offensive versatility in Summer League […]

On the latest episode of The Bill Simmons Podcast, sports media personality Bill Simmons voiced his support for a growing conspiracy theory surrounding the Portland Trail Blazers’ selection of Yang Hansen with the 16th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The discussion comes as the Trail Blazers continue to navigate an ownership transition following the […]

After four consecutive seasons of missing the playoffs entirely, the Portland Trail Blazers are ready to compete yet again. General manager Joe Cronin said as much when he declared that it’s winning time for the Blazers — and their moves this offseason certainly suggest that they’re gearing up for a push despite being in the […]

The Milwaukee Bucks shocked the NBA world when they signed Myles Turner to a four-year deal. When Milwaukee revealed that they waived and stretched Damian Lillard to do so, the shock increased. With the freedom to pick his next destination, the All-Star point guard decided to head back to the Portland Trail Blazers. His decision […]

Damian Lillard returned to where it all started for him, as he signed back with the Portland Trail Blazers after being waived and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks. The star guard’s tenure with the Bucks came to an end after only two seasons, and it happened after tearing his Achilles during the first round of […]

It’s been an interesting offseason thus far for the Portland Trail Blazers, who recently bought out Deandre Ayton, swung a trade for Jrue Holiday, drafted Yang Hansen in the first round, and reunited with Damian Lillard. The Blazers are hoping that in 2025-26, they will be able to remove themselves from the NBA cellar and […]

The Portland Trail Blazers entered the 2025 offseason coming off a brutal 2024-25 campaign, finishing with just 36 wins and sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings. The season saw extended absences for young cornerstone Scoot Henderson, inconsistency from Shaedon Sharpe, and a lack of veteran leadership following the post-Lillard era. For a […]

Winning is nice, especially when it happens in Las Vegas. There were plenty of winners at NBA Summer League this year, as Kyle Filipowski, Nique Clifford, and Kon Knueppel were among the notable standouts from this summer’s showcase. However, when there are winners of NBA Summer League, there are also losers that need to be […]

The Milwaukee Bucks have spoken out for the first time about Damian Lillard’s return to the Portland Trail Blazers following his release earlier this offseason. According to a report from Keith Smith of Spotrac, a Bucks front office executive and a team coach shared candid remarks during NBA 2K26 Summer League in Las Vegas, where […]

After two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks, Damian Lillard is back to where many believe he truly belongs — with the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard could have tried to go to another team, one that is built better to win an NBA championship as soon as the 2025-26 NBA season, but he opted to return […]

Much has been made about Damian Lillard’s exit from the Milwaukee Bucks. After two ill-fated seasons with the Bucks, Dame returns to the Portland Trail Blazers after Milwaukee decided to stretch the remaining of his contract, worth $113 million, over the next five years. The nine-time All-Star returns to his former team amidst consistent concern […]

Damian Lillard is back to where it all started, as the future Basketball Hall of Famer decided to return to the Portland Trail Blazers after a stint with the Milwaukee Bucks. Unlike when he first arrived on the team, Lillard is now the grizzled veteran brimming with experience and advice he can impart to his […]

Chauncey Billups is happy to reunite with Damian Lillard after the latter made his return to the Portland Trail Blazers. He is even looking forward to having the reunion elevate the next generation. Billups was Lillard’s coach from 2021 to 2023 for two seasons. This was before the Trail Blazers traded the latter to the […]

Damian Lillard made it clear about his decision to return to the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard has been away from the Trail Blazers since the 2023 offseason. They traded him to the Milwaukee Bucks as it was clear to them that they needed to rebuild the roster for the future. However, the two parties reunite […]

The Portland Trail Blazers are clearly on the upswing. They seemed to figure something out in the middle of the season when they were threatening to push for a spot in the play-in tournament before they faded late and finished with a 36-46 record. This offseason, it’s clear that the Blazers are looking to take […]

In one of the most feel-good stories of the offseason, the Portland Trail Blazers have reunited with Damian Lillard after two years of being apart. After the Milwaukee Bucks decided to waive and stretch Lillard’s contract to open up the space to sign Myles Turner, Lillard angled for a move back home, and he got […]

In a bombshell turn of events two years ago, Damian Lillard requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers after 11 seasons with the franchise. The Blazers were rebuilding at that point, and Lillard, who was entering his age-33 season, wanted to leave for a shot at competing for a championship. Lillard specifically wanted to […]

As they say, home is where the heart is, and Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green and Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard would definitely agree. Lillard is back in Rip City after being waived and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks. While he’s likely to sit out the upcoming season due to an Achilles injury, […]

As the NBA world reacts to Portland Blazers guard Damian Lillard’s surprising reunion with the team that drafted him in 2012, one of his newest teammates, Scoot Henderson, is reportedly looking forward to Lillard’s arrival. With the nine-time All-Star ruled out for most of next season due to a ruptured Achilles, Henderson will have an […]

As the Portland Trail Blazers reunited with Damian Lillard, other young up-and-coming players are hoping to improve heading into next season. While fans are excited to see such players as Trail Blazers rookie Yang Hansen develop, another one who is ready to break out is Shaedon Sharpe, a player who got compared to Boston Celtics […]

There is no denying that Damian Lillard loves the Portland Trail Blazers following his decision to reunite with the team in free agency, but the organization certainly made it difficult for him to refuse its offer. Owners do not typically award a three-year, $42 million contract to a 35-year-old recovering from a torn Achilles tendon […]

The Portland Trail Blazers surprised many at the recent NBA Draft by selecting Chinese center Yang Hansen with the number 16 overall pick. Many had projected the seven footer to be closer to a second-round selection, and the move was particularly surprising considering the number of centers that the Blazers already had on their roster. […]

Yang Hansen may be the new kid on the Portland Trail Blazers roster, but he is already winning fans over with his charisma, sense of humor, and potential. The 7-foot-1 Chinese rookie shared a story during a recent interview that gave a glimpse into his humble beginnings and the legendary support behind his rise. Before […]

Damian Lillard is unlikely to get back on the court before the 2026-27 NBA campaign, but he has already returned home. Following a painful end to last season and a brutal beginning to the summer, the nine-time All-Star is rekindling his romance with the Portland Trail Blazers. The two sides were on a mutual break […]

All-Star point guard Damian Lillard shocked the NBA when he decided to return to the Portland Trail Blazers on a three-year, $42 million contract. But, one NBA analyst felt it was a reunion that was two years in the making. ESPN’s Kendrick Perkins recently spoke about Lillard’s choice on First Take, and provided a clear […]

Yang Hansen is wasting no time showing he belongs in Portland. During an interview at the 2K26 NBA Summer League, the Trail Blazers rookie center tapped his wrist in a confident nod to Damian Lillard’s signature celebration, declaring he is ready for Dame Time. It was a small gesture with big meaning, capturing his excitement […]

Damian Lillard is officially back in Portland — and this time, it’s not just about basketball. After two years away and a brief stint with the Milwaukee Bucks, the nine-time All-Star has signed a three-year, $42 million deal to return to the Trail Blazers, a franchise he once carried and then left. While many NBA […]

It’s home sweet home for Damian Lillard as he is set to return to the Portland Trail Blazers. ESPN insider Shams Charania broke the news on Thursday, sending Rip City to a state of pure joy. As expected, Lillard quickly found a team after the Milwaukee Bucks unceremoniously waived him amid his Achilles injury. Not […]

NBA legend Dwyane Wade understands why Damian Lillard returned to the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard is signing a three-year, $42 million deal to reunite with the Trail Blazers. He returns to the franchise that drafted him to the NBA, following a two-year stint with the Milwaukee Bucks. Wade played most of his career with the […]