The Portland Trail Blazers opened training camp on Monday, September 29, 2025, at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon — a moment that feels less like a fresh start and more like a pivot point in franchise history. With the team’s new ownership group, led by Tom Dundon, owner of the Carolina Hurricanes, finalizing a $4.25 billion purchase just weeks ago, and the future of franchise icon Damian Lillard hanging in the balance, this isn’t just another preseason. It’s a reckoning.
Who’s Running the Show Now?
The front office has stabilized, at least on paper. General manager Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups both signed long-term extensions just before the 2024-25 season ended — a rare show of continuity in an organization that’s spent years in chaos. But behind the scenes, the rebuild has been anything but quiet. In May 2025, seven years after the death of team founder Paul Allen, his estate finally put the franchise up for sale. The response was swift: Dundon’s group moved fast, outbidding others to lock in the largest sports team sale in NBA history.Now, with the sale complete, the team’s business operations are under Dewayne Hankins, president of business operations, who’ll join Cronin and Billups at Media Day. The message is clear: this is a new era. But the on-court product? That’s still being figured out.
Lillard’s Ghost Looms Large
Here’s the twist: no one knows if Damian Lillard is coming back.Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report wrote definitively that Lillard had signed a three-year deal after being unexpectedly waived by the Milwaukee Bucks. But Ryan Stano of Sports Illustrated reported the exact opposite — that the Blazers are preparing to compete this season without him, with the hope of making noise next year when he returns.
Both can’t be right. And yet, both stories are circulating. The truth? The Bucks’ front office hasn’t confirmed Lillard’s release. The Blazers haven’t announced a signing. And Lillard himself hasn’t spoken publicly since the draft. It’s a silence that’s louder than any press release.
For Portland fans, this isn’t just about a star player. It’s about identity. Lillard carried this team for 13 years. Now, the organization is betting on youth — and hoping the ghost of his legacy doesn’t haunt the rebuild.
The New Core: Hansen, Clingan, and the Youth Movement
The Blazers didn’t just trade away Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday — they restructured their entire future. With Holiday’s contract expiring soon, the move was less about winning now and more about clearing cap space and minutes for the next generation.Enter Yang Hansen, the No. 16 overall pick from the 2025 NBA Draft. His Summer League performance? Electric. According to Highkin, viewership in China exceeded most U.S. playoff games. That’s not just hype — that’s global attention on a rookie nobody expected to be this relevant.
Pairing him with Donovan Clingan, the 2024 second-rounder who finally got the green light after Deandre Ayton was bought out in July, gives Portland a potential frontcourt of the future. Add in Deni Avdija, the 2020 pick who’s still here, and you’ve got a young, athletic core that’s more intriguing than it is proven.
And then there’s Shaedon Sharpe. After two seasons of flashes and frustration, this is his make-or-break year. The team expects him to be a starter, not a bench spark. If he doesn’t elevate, the door opens for Jalen Suggs or Drew Eubanks — names you won’t hear on ESPN, but who are quietly pushing for minutes.
Training Camp Roster: Who Stays? Who Goes?
As camp opened, Portland signed three players to non-guaranteed deals: MarJon Beauchamp, Liam Robbins, and Javonte Cooke. Stano says none are likely to make the final roster — except maybe Beauchamp, whose prior NBA experience gives him an edge.That’s the reality: this isn’t a team trying to contend. It’s a team trying to survive. The Western Conference is brutal — the Lakers, Nuggets, Suns, Timberwolves, and Kings all look stronger. The Blazers’ goal? Just make the playoffs. Not as a contender. Not as a surprise. Just… make it.
And if they do? That’s a win. Because the last time they made the playoffs was 2021. Five years. Five years of lottery picks, coaching changes, and broken promises.
What’s Next? The Clock Is Ticking
The preseason slate begins October 8, with games against the Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, and Sacramento Kings. One game will be played at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle — a nod to Portland’s regional strategy, and a reminder that the NBA is no longer bound by city lines.By November 1, we’ll know if this roster has any teeth. By December, we’ll know if Billups’ new system clicks. And by February? We’ll know whether Lillard’s absence is a burden — or a blessing.
For now, the only certainty is this: the Blazers are no longer the team of Lillard. They’re the team of possibility. And possibility, as any fan knows, is the most dangerous thing of all.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Damian Lillard really coming back to the Trail Blazers?
There’s no official confirmation. While The Rose Garden Report claims Lillard signed a three-year deal after being waived by the Bucks, Sports Illustrated reports the Blazers are preparing for the season without him. The Bucks haven’t confirmed his release, and Lillard hasn’t commented. Until there’s a signed contract or public statement, his status remains uncertain — and that uncertainty is fueling speculation across the league.
Why did the Trail Blazers trade Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday?
The trade wasn’t about winning now — it was about clearing salary and minutes. Simons was due for a max contract extension, and Holiday’s deal expires after 2025-26. By acquiring Holiday, Portland gained a veteran presence for one season while freeing up cap space and playing time for young players like Yang Hansen and Donovan Clingan. The move signals a clear pivot toward the future, not a playoff push.
How does the $4.25 billion sale impact the team’s future?
The sale to Tom Dundon’s group brings financial stability and a new ownership philosophy. Dundon, who turned the Hurricanes into a playoff contender, has a track record of investing in infrastructure and analytics. Expect improved scouting, better player development, and possibly a new training facility. But with a $4.25 billion price tag, the pressure to deliver wins — and ROI — will be immense. Fans should expect bolder moves, not just in trades, but in front-office structure.
Can the Trail Blazers actually make the playoffs in 2025-26?
It’s unlikely, but not impossible. The Western Conference has eight teams projected above them — including the Lakers, Nuggets, Suns, and Kings. Portland’s young core lacks playoff experience, and their depth is thin. But if Yang Hansen and Shaedon Sharpe elevate their games, and if Chauncey Billups’ system clicks faster than expected, a wild-card spot isn’t out of reach. Making the playoffs would be considered a massive success — and a sign the rebuild is on track.
Why is the team playing games in Seattle?
The Trail Blazers have maintained a regional partnership with the Seattle market since the 1990s, partly due to historical fan overlap and the lack of an NBA team in the Pacific Northwest outside Portland. Playing preseason games at Climate Pledge Arena helps maintain that connection, draws additional revenue, and tests the market for potential future expansion. It’s not a sign of relocation — but it is a sign the franchise is thinking beyond city limits.
What’s the biggest risk for the Trail Blazers this season?
The biggest risk isn’t losing — it’s losing while looking lost. If Yang Hansen struggles, if Sharpe regresses, and if the team looks disorganized under Billups, the rebuild could lose momentum. Fan frustration could grow, and with new ownership, that could lead to impulsive moves — trading away future picks for short-term fixes. The organization must stay patient. But patience is the hardest thing to sell when you’ve waited 13 years for a title.