{"id":195500,"date":"2026-05-14T07:00:32","date_gmt":"2026-05-14T11:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=195500"},"modified":"2026-05-14T04:43:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-14T08:43:27","slug":"blazers-offseason-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/05\/14\/blazers-offseason-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"The Blazers&#8217; Offseason Improvements Can Decide The Future"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Portland Trail Blazers&#8217; offseason is underway, and they will be looking to make improvements with the roster. Portland&#8217;s shooting was a massive problem for the Blazers, but thankfully, <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/l\/lillada01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Damian Lillard<\/a>&#8216;s return can remedy that. Aside from his comeback, the Blazers still need to make big changes.<\/p>\n<h2>The Blazers&#8217; Offseason Improvements Can Decide The Future<\/h2>\n<p>The 2025-26 season was a bizarre one for the Trail Blazers. After just one game, their head coach, Chauncey Billups, was involved in a major scandal. That forced the organization&#8217;s hand, so Tiago Splitter got promoted to the acting head coach role. He did well, leading the Blazers back to the Playoffs for the first time since 2021.<\/p>\n<p>They managed to steal one win against the San Antonio Spurs, as <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hendesc01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Scoot Henderson<\/a> had <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/04\/22\/scoot-henderson-finally-breaks-out-as-trail-blazers-star\/\" target=\"_self\">a breakout<\/a>. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/a\/avdijde01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Deni Avdija<\/a> was the star of the show for the entire campaign, earning his first All-Star nod. Despite the promising campaign, <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/02\/04\/the-biggest-problems-behind-the-trail-blazers-struggles\/\" target=\"_self\">they\u00a0<\/a><span style=\"margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/02\/04\/the-biggest-problems-behind-the-trail-blazers-struggles\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">had plenty of problems<\/a> that<\/span>\u00a0will require some big moves in the Blazers&#8217; offseason plans.<\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: 800px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOBGII4ETCa\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 3072px; aspect-ratio: 3072\/2085;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<h3>Lillard&#8217;s Return Will Not Solve All The Problems<\/h3>\n<p>It is normal to feel elated when a franchise icon like Lillard returns to the team. Unfortunately, he will not be the solution for Portland&#8217;s problems. He could be the catalyst for the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/11\/04\/the-trail-blazers-offense-rears-its-ugly-head-yet-again\/\" target=\"_self\">Blazers&#8217; offensive issues in the 2025-26 season<\/a>. However, he will not be the solitary solution because the team has plenty of talented players who can also improve.<\/p>\n<p>Avdija is the only star-level player aside from Lillard, but names like <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/camarto01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Toumani Camara<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/c\/clingdo01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Donovan Clingan<\/a> could make offensive leaps. Young players like Henderson and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/s\/sharpsh01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Shaedon Sharpe<\/a> have shown improvements, and playing alongside Lillard could be a big positive.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Most efficient on Pull Up FGA in the Playoffs\u2026<\/p>\n<p>What stands out? <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/9pFHuIBiNH\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/9pFHuIBiNH<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Basketball University (@UofBasketball) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UofBasketball\/status\/2054208854825525362?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>From a leadership perspective, Lillard will add to their impressive locker room. He and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/holidjr01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jrue Holiday<\/a> are two of the league&#8217;s most respected players, so that will be a boost. Considering they are also quite experienced, they will be a big part of the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n<p>It is up to the Blazers&#8217; front office, led by general manager Joe Cronin, to make big decisions. Lillard&#8217;s return will not be the only big move they make because the Blazers need much more to compete in the Western Conference. Whether it is big trades or free-agent signings, there should be some steps in the right direction for the Blazers.<\/p>\n<h3>Portland&#8217;s Shooting Will Require Big Improvements<\/h3>\n<p>Coming into the 2025-26 season, it was <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/03\/30\/trail-blazers-shooting-issues-massive-problem\/\" target=\"_self\">clear that the Blazers&#8217; three-point shooting would be a problem<\/a>. Predictably, that did happen because the Blazers were tied for the league-worst in three-point efficiency at 30.2%.<\/p>\n<p>Camara made a career-high 219 threes, shooting 37% from beyond the arc. He was probably the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/03\/24\/toumani-camara-improved-offense-trail-blazers-potential\/\" target=\"_self\">most promising shooter on the team<\/a>, but he did have some slumps from time to time. Cronin brought on <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/krejcvi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Vit Krejci<\/a> at the trade deadline, who was a recognized sharpshooter with the Atlanta Hawks. However, he only shot 30.3% for the Trail Blazers.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Toumani Camara leads all forwards this season in games with 8+ threes made. <a  href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/jRZq2Mx18y\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/jRZq2Mx18y<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Real App (@realapp) <a  href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/realapp\/status\/2041363853640867930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>In the offseason, Cronin and his front office must look for solutions to the problem with the three-point shooting. They could look for players in free agency, as players like <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/k\/kennalu01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Luke Kennard<\/a> and <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hachiru01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rui Hachimura<\/a> are available in the market.<\/p>\n<p>Trades could also happen, as there are plenty of sharpshooters out there on different teams. Potential trade candidates could include players like <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/m\/merrisa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sam Merrill<\/a> or <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/h\/hausesa01.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sam Hauser<\/a>, who are certified snipers.<\/p>\n<p>Apart from the players, this could also be impacted by the coach. Since the Blazers are yet to hire a full-time coach, someone who truly focuses on perimeter shooting in the system could be the solution for the Trail Blazers&#8217; shooting woes.<\/p>\n<h3>The Blazers&#8217; Offseason Can Make Or Break Their 2026-27 Season<\/h3>\n<p>With that all being said, the Trail Blazers have a massive offseason coming up. Unfortunately, they do not have a single draft pick, so they will have to maneuver by using their treasure trove of picks from other teams.<\/p>\n<p>Cronin has to be smart with his decision-making because new owner Tom Dundon would love to make a big splash. With the market still closed because of the ongoing NBA Playoffs, Cronin should strategize about what his vision is for the long-term future.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2026\/05\/08\/damian-lillards-return\/\" target=\"_self\">With Lillard&#8217;s return, anything is possible<\/a>. As long as the front office locks in for the Blazers&#8217; offseason, Portland could surprise a lot of people in the 2026-27 season.<\/p>\n<p>Featured Image: <span>Scott Wachter-Imagn Images<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Portland Trail Blazers&#8217; offseason is underway, and they will be looking to make improvements with the roster. Portland&#8217;s shooting was a massive problem for the Blazers, but thankfully, Damian Lillard&#8216;s return can remedy that. Aside from his comeback, the Blazers still need to make big changes. The Blazers&#8217; Offseason Improvements Can Decide The Future [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5385,"featured_media":195510,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1608,62,23],"tags":[187,2831,49155],"class_list":["post-195500","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-basketball","category-nba","category-trailblazers","tag-damian-lillard","tag-deni-avdija","tag-toumani-camara"],"modified_by":"Benjamin Yu","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/195500","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5385"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=195500"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/195500\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":195511,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/195500\/revisions\/195511"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/195510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=195500"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=195500"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=195500"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}