{"id":155888,"date":"2025-08-23T08:00:42","date_gmt":"2025-08-23T12:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=155888"},"modified":"2025-08-22T21:02:30","modified_gmt":"2025-08-23T01:02:30","slug":"trail-blazers-center-depth-2025-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/08\/23\/trail-blazers-center-depth-2025-26\/","title":{"rendered":"How The Trail Blazers’ Center Depth Stacks Up For 2025-26"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025-26 season will be monumental for the Portland Trail Blazers. They have an exciting roster, including a fresh center rotation. Head coach Chauncey Billups’ system has a new look with Donovan Clingan<\/a> as the starting center.<\/p>\n

How The Trail Blazers’ Center Depth Stacks Up For 2025-26<\/h2>\n

After the Blazers had two seasons with Deandre Ayton<\/a> as the starting center, they have a new rotation. Billups loves leading an elite defense<\/a>, so Clingan is the natural choice.<\/p>\n

With the addition of Yang Hansen<\/a> through the 2025 NBA Draft, the Blazers have four centers. Clingan is the likely starter, but they also have Robert Williams III<\/a> and Duop Reath<\/a> as holdovers. This combination of talented centers gives an intriguing situation for the 2025-26 season.<\/p>\n

Clingan is an Impressive Choice For the Blazers’ Starting Center<\/h3>\n

At 7’2″, Clingan is one of the largest players in the league. He is an imposing presence in the paint, as he combines his size with elite defensive instincts. In his rookie year during the 2024-25 season, he averaged 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game.<\/p>\n

Clingan did that in only 19.8 minutes per contest. When converted into per-36 minutes stats, it was 13.8 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game. He even averaged a steal in those per-36 projections. Those numbers prove that Clingan is a defensive powerhouse<\/a> that any team would love.<\/p>\n

The former UConn Husky also has potential with his offensive game. He might not be the go-to player, but he can serve as the pick-and-roll big. With Scoot Henderson<\/a> and Jrue Holiday<\/a> as his playmakers, he could have big scoring games.<\/p>\n

Clingan has the potential to be a franchise leader for the team. If he becomes the franchise center<\/a>, you can expect this 2025-26 season to be a big one. With Ayton’s departure, the Blazers have committed to the future with Clingan and Yang<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Interesting Situation with Williams<\/h3>\n

Since arriving in 2023, Williams has only played 26 games for the Blazers. Like most of his career, Williams has struggled with injuries during his stint with Portland. That is a shame because he is one of the NBA’s best defensive centers when healthy.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, he has been on the sidelines for most of his time in Portland. If he can remain healthy, he will be the primary backup center. He has the elite defensive instincts, and he is the perfect pick-and-roll partner for any guard.<\/p>\n

Williams even has some potential on the offensive end. He is a good connective passer, which can significantly boost a team’s offense. Billups would love to have that impact from the Blazers’ center.<\/p>\n

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ROBERT WILLIAMS III WHAT A FINISH!!<\/p>\n

ONE-HANDED ALLEY-OOP SLAM FOR THE BIG MAN \ud83d\udca5 pic.twitter.com\/grhRw3FjFD<\/a><\/p>\n

— NBA (@NBA) February 9, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n