With the 2026 offseason, the Portland Trail Blazers’ backcourt got a boost. Everyone was expecting Damian Lillard‘s comeback, but they added to the burning flame with Ja Morant‘s arrival. While it is exciting, this will still be a challenge for Micah Nori for the 2026-27 season.
Diving Into The Trail Blazers’ Backcourt of Lillard and Morant
The Trail Blazers have become quite familiar with running smaller backcourts. They did so successfully in the 2010s and early 2020s, and it seems they are running with it yet again. Lillard and Morant are both excellent players, but they both have something to prove in the 2026-27 season.
Nori and general manager Joe Cronin have noted that Lillard and Morant will start together in the backcourt. Since Nori has noted that the challenge does not faze him, there is some excitement in Portland amid all the issues the team and its fans are facing with the new ownership.
Lillard’s Comeback Still Has Some Question Marks
As one of the greatest players in Trail Blazers history, expectations are high for Lillard. He is ready to resume his superstar duties after leaving in 2023 and coming back in 2025. However, this will be the first time he will play organized basketball since the 2025 playoffs, when he ruptured his Achilles tendon while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks.
Lillard might be the greatest player in franchise history, but times have changed. He might not even be the best player in the Blazers’ backcourt now because of Morant. That is yet another obstacle he has to overcome: finding a way to mesh with Morant.
Portland PGs:
Jrue — 15.9 PPG | 6.2 APG | 54.7 TS%
Dame — 25.1 PPG | 6.7 APG | 59.0 TS%
Ja — 22.4 PPG | 7.4 APG | 55.7 TS%
Scoot — 13.5 PPG | 5.0 APG | 52.0 TS%Who will average the most PPG and APG next season? pic.twitter.com/cck4sfbtwr
— StatMuse (@statmuse) July 16, 2026
This is almost the same situation he had with CJ McCollum back in the day. Of course, they worked well off each other because they had the most natural dynamic. They loved playing alongside each other, and that was harmonious for almost a decade.
Since he is coming off a major injury, Lillard’s comeback raises some questions. If he is still as explosive as he once was, Portland could make some noise. However, if he does not perform well, the Blazers’ backcourt might be doomed with Lillard as the star player.
The Blazers’ Backcourt Must Surpass Expectations
With four total point guards on the roster, everyone outside the organization can see a wonky fit between Lillard, Morant, Jrue Holiday, and Scoot Henderson. Based on the reports surrounding the team, they are all buying into this interesting plan.
Thankfully for the Blazers’ backcourt plans, they do have some versatility. Holiday and Henderson can play the shooting guard role, and when necessary, Holiday is a skilled enough defender to size up and play the small forward position.
first day in the building ✔️ pic.twitter.com/hAjSAJOU2p
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) July 25, 2026
That will likely happen at some point, but the plan is for Lillard and Morant to start. Navigating that can be tough, but Lillard could theoretically play more off the ball with Morant as the ball-handler. Everyone knows that Dame is an elite three-point shooter, and with role players like Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan setting screens, he could be a much better off-ball threat than ever.
Mixing in Deni Avdija as a ball-handler can also serve the Blazers well because he draws so much attention as a slasher. Portland’s offense is definitely a big positive, which could help them surpass expectations.
Defensively, there might be some trouble, especially with Lillard and Morant. They do have an elite perimeter defender in Camara and a solid rim protector in Clingan. However, the Blazers’ backcourt must do their best to chip in if they want any chance of winning.
Portland Will Rely On Nori’s Coaching
While the backcourt is getting the spotlight, Nori’s coaching will be the most important factor for Portland. Despite his near-two-decade career as an assistant coach, this is his first full-time role as a head coach. He was an offensive coordinator for the Minnesota Timberwolves, so he could find a way to resolve this dynamic.
As long as the players buy into his system, it is a positive. They would want to play high-level basketball and win games. If Nori is creating a culture that encourages that, the backcourt issue will not be a problem. This could involve Henderson playing an x-factor role or even Robert Williams III being a game-changing big man after re-signing with Portland.
Maximizing everyone’s talents will also be one of his priorities. Beyond the point guards, this team is talented. Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe were the stars for Portland in the 2025-26 season. While they will play different roles now, Nori’s coaching should maximize their talent alongside the rest of the team.
Photo Credit: Jaime Valdez, Imagn Images via Reuters Connect
