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Robert Williams III Staying With Portland
Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III has signed a new three-year, $44 million contract with the team, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. There were murmurs that the 28-year-old would explore the free agency market, but that ultimately didn't come to fruition. Williams played 59 games last season, one of the healthiest in his career, and averaged 6.7 points, seven rebounds, and 1.5 blocks in 17.1 minutes of action. Barring drastic improvement from sophomore center Yang Hansen, Williams will serve as the backup to Donovan Clingan again for the 2026-27 season.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Kris Murray Traded to Memphis
Forward Kris Murray is being traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the Ja Morant deal, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Murray and Jerami Grant were the return for the former All-Pro guard. Murray, a first-round pick in 2023, failed to make much of an impact in his three seasons in Portland. He averaged 5.8 points and 3.6 rebounds in 23.4 minutes per game last season. However, he's in the final year of his cheap rookie contract ($3.57 million per year) and can provide good wing bench depth for a young Memphis squad.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Jerami Grant Headed to Memphis
Veteran forward Jerami Grant is being traded from the Portland Trail Blazers to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of the trade for guard Ja Morant, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. Forward Kris Murray is also joining the Grizzlies. Grant has struggled with injuries the past few seasons, averaging 52 appearances over the last three seasons, but continued to bring scoring inside and out. The 32-year-old averaged 18.6 points on 38.9% shooting from deep for what was ultimately his final season with the Trail Blazers. His role in Memphis is unclear, to say the least. The Grizzlies drafted Cameron Boozer, traded for Isaiah Stewart, and have $17.5 million per year tied up in Santi Aldama.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Ja Morant Dealt to Portland, Ending Lengthy Trade Speculation
Point guard Ja Morant's time in Memphis has come to an end, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. The guard has been traded to Portland for forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. It's a small return for the 26-year-old former All-NBA selection, but it ends months of trade speculation, including ESPN's Brian Windhorst calling him "flagrantly available" in trade discussions. Morant fell out of favor in Memphis after multiple off-the-court concerns and availability issues. He has suited up for 79 games total over the last three seasons. Still, there is plenty of upside, as the former second-overall pick averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists on 28.5 minutes per game during his limited appearances last season. Morant joins a crowded Portland backcourt, which could signal that one of the holdovers from last season (Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson, and Shaedon Sharpe) could soon be on the move.
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Source: Shams Charania - ESPN
Yang Hansen Expected to Join Blazers for Summer League
According to Sean Highkin, Portland Trail Blazers center Yang Hansen will participate in the Las Vegas Summer League after competing for China in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. Because the 21-year-old has international games scheduled for July 3 and July 6, he will arrive late to Vegas and miss the opening exhibitions. The former first-round pick is coming off a quiet rookie campaign, averaging 2.2 points and 1.5 rebounds in 7.0 minutes per game across 43 appearances. With Portland looking for reliable frontcourt depth behind Donovan Clingan, a solid showing in his limited summer action could help Hansen carve out a larger role entering training camp. Although he remains an intriguing dynasty stash, the big man won't be a redraft target until he secures a consistent spot in the rotation.
Source: Sean Highkin
Source: Sean Highkin
Micah Nori Hired as Trail Blazers New Head Coach
The Portland Trail Blazers have hired Micah Nori as their new head coach on Tuesday, according to Shams Charania. This will be Nori's first head coaching gig in the NBA. He began his professional career as an assistant coach with the Toronto Raptors. Most recently, Nori has been the assistant coach on Chris Finch's staff with the Minnesota Timberwolves since 2021. Nori becomes the 17th head coach in Trail Blazers history. The expectations will be higher now after the Blazers gave the San Antonio Spurs some serious competition during the first round of the postseason.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
Trail Blazers Eye Julius Thomas for Coaching Staff
According to Gazzetta's Giannis Pallas, Paris Basketball head coach Julius Thomas is considering NBA opportunities, with an offer from the Portland Trail Blazers to join Tiago Splitter's staff standing out. The 28-year-old replaced Francesco Tabellini in March and has helped guide Paris to the French league finals against Monaco. Thomas also worked under Tuomas Iisalo and Splitter, keeping him tied to the same aggressive, high-tempo coaching tree Portland has already leaned into. Paris ranked first in EuroLeague in three-point attempts and second in threes made, while the Blazers finished 10th in pace under Splitter. For fantasy managers, this would be more of a system signal than a direct rankings mover, but added pace and spacing emphasis would be encouraging for Portland's young playmakers, wings, and rim-running bigs.
Source: Giannis Pallas
Source: Giannis Pallas
Jrue Holiday Wants to Stay in Portland
Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday is happy with his current situation and wants to remain with the team, Joe Freeman of The Oregonian reports. "I hope so. I don't like being traded and moved and stuff," Holiday said about remaining in Portland. "I like being a part of something and building with the team and seeing the progress and going through the progress with them. So I hope so. I'd love to be here." After spending seven years in New Orleans, Holiday has suited up for three different teams this decade. His fantasy stock improved with his move to Portland, as Holiday averaged 16.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.0 steals in 29.4 minutes per game this season. Compared with his time in Boston, he had a much larger offensive role. Holiday, who will be 36 in June, has two seasons remaining on a four-year, $135 million contract.
Source: Joe Freeman
Source: Joe Freeman
Deni Avdija Returns to Form Sunday
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija was back to his best in Sunday's 114-93 Game 4 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, leading his team with 26 points. He added seven rebounds, three assists, and one steal to his stat line, finishing 8-for-14 from the field and 8-for-9 at the line. In the previous two games combined, Avdija managed only 33 points. 12 of his 19 points in Game 3 came from free throws. Although Avdija did a good job on Sunday, he couldn't prevent Portland from falling into a 3-1 hole in the series. The team will now face an elimination game on Tuesday.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Scoot Henderson Erupts for 31 Points in Series-Tying Victory
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson played a leading role in Tuesday's 106-103 Game 2 win over the San Antonio Spurs, leading all scorers with 31 points. Henderson scored very efficiently in Game 1 and hadn't lost his touch on Tuesday night, finishing 11-for-17 from the field. He was 5-for-9 from outside and 4-for-6 at the line. At 22, Henderson became Portland's youngest-ever 30-point scorer in the playoffs. Yet there were also some shortcomings in his performance, as Henderson didn't register a single assist and collected only one rebound. Defensively, he managed one steal and one block. Henderson has made a superb start to his first career postseason campaign, but with his field-goal percentage at a lofty 64.3 percent, it may be hard for him to sustain his current scoring rate.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Deni Avdija Posts 30-Point Double-Double in Loss
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Deni Avdija posted 30 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block, and two three-pointers in 39 minutes during Sunday's Western Conference first-round loss to San Antonio. He carried the offense early and remained the team's most consistent option, finishing as the lone player to surpass 20 points. Avdija's high usage and all-around production boost his DFS ceiling, especially with limited scoring support. Scoot Henderson provided secondary scoring, while Jrue Holiday handled playmaking duties but struggled to convert efficiently.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Jrue Holiday Nets 21 Points in Playoff Clincher
Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday tallied 21 points with a 7-for-18 effort from the field during Tuesday's 114-110 Play-In Tournament victory over the Phoenix Suns. Holiday scored five consecutive points to spark a Portland comeback from a 100-89 deficit midway through the fourth quarter. The veteran finished 4-for-11 from downtown and completed his line with four rebounds and four assists across 38 minutes. Holiday has a lot of postseason pedigree and will be expected to be one of the leaders during the playoffs on a team that will have many postseason debutants. The two-time NBA champion has averaged 16.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.4 steals in 97 career playoff appearances.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Deni Avdija Helps Trail Blazers Into Playoffs With 41-Point Effort
Portland Trail Blazers forward Deni Avdija was sensational on Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns as the team secured a playoff spot with a 114-110 win in the Play-In Tournament. He produced a double-double with 41 points and 12 assists, becoming the fifth player to score 40-plus points in a play-in game. Avdija, who finished 15-for-22 from the floor, made several key buckets late in the game. He also tallied seven rebounds and two blocks in 38 minutes. After overcoming a back issue, Avdija has returned to top form in recent weeks, and the Israeli star should thrive in the playoffs as he makes his postseason debut. The Trail Blazers are back in the playoffs for the first time since 2021, where they face Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in the first round.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jerami Grant Coming Off the Bench Tuesday
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (calf) will make his return to action on Tuesday against Phoenix as a member of the second unit. Grant has started regularly for Portland since February. But he has missed seven games due to a calf injury, and by having him come off the bench, the team can better manage his workload. Even as a reserve, Grant has been productive in 2025-26, averaging 16.3 points in 25.7 minutes per game. Scoot Henderson will maintain a starting role on Tuesday night, with Deni Avdija, Jrue Holiday, Toumani Camara, and Donovan Clingan rounding out the first unit,
Source: Portland Trail Blazers
Source: Portland Trail Blazers
Jerami Grant Returns to Action Tuesday
Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (calf) will suit up on Tuesday night against the Phoenix Suns. He has shaken off a questionable tag, returning to action after missing seven games due to a right calf strain. Given his lengthy absence, Grant might carry a minutes restriction on Tuesday. Still, he's a welcome addition to the Trail Blazers lineup. The veteran averaged 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 29.7 minutes per game during the regular season. Grant's return is likely to bump Scoot Henderson to the second unit, but the explosive guard should still feature heavily in the rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report
Source: NBA Injury Report
