RADIO
Ja Morant's Hamstring Injury Might Not be as Bad as Feared
Portland Trail Blazers guard Ja Morant (hamstring) received an encouraging update from head coach Micah Nori, who said the injury "might not be as extensive as what we thought it was," according to Conor Bergin of Blazer's Edge. Morant was diagnosed with a Grade 2 strain on Oct. 30 and is still scheduled to be re-evaluated four weeks from that date. The 27-year-old averaged 15.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 25.8 minutes through four games. Until he's back, Jrue Holiday should remain one of Portland's main creators after turning in 17 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds against Denver on Nov. 2.
Source: Conor Bergin
Source: Conor Bergin
Ja Morant Set to Miss Four Weeks With Hamstring Strain
The Portland Trail Blazers announced Friday that guard Ja Morant (hamstring) sustained a Grade 2 left-hamstring strain during Thursday's 124-103 loss to his former team, the Memphis Grizzlies. Imaging confirmed the injury, and Morant will be re-evaluated in four weeks. The two-time All-Star has averaged 15.8 points and 5.5 assists in 25.8 minutes per game across four appearances this season. Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday should see increased minutes while Morant is sidelined, boosting their fantasy value.
Source: Portland Trail Blazers
Source: Portland Trail Blazers
Scoot Henderson Good to Go Against Lakers
Portland Trail Blazers guard Scoot Henderson (ankle) is available for Tuesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers after dealing with left ankle soreness. The 22-year-old has come off the bench through Portland's first two games, averaging 9.5 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in 20.0 minutes while shooting 1-for-9 from three. Henderson averaged 14.2 points and 3.7 assists across 30 appearances last season, but a backcourt featuring Damian Lillard, Ja Morant, and Jrue Holiday leaves little room for a major fantasy role unless injuries open up more minutes.
Source: Trail Blazers PR
Source: Trail Blazers PR
Deni Avdija Will Play and Start Against Suns
Portland Trail Blazers guard/forward Deni Avdija (ankle) says he will play and start in Wednesday's season opener against the Phoenix Suns, according to The Athletic's Jason Quick. The 25-year-old had been questionable with right ankle soreness after a strong preseason. Avdija averaged career highs of 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 6.7 assists last season despite shooting 31.8 percent from three. He also dropped 41 points and 12 assists against Phoenix in April's Play-In win. His availability removes a potential spot start for Sidy Cissoko, though sharing creation duties with Ja Morant and Damian Lillard could lower Avdija's usage from last season.
Source: Jason Quick
Source: Jason Quick
Damian Lillard Scores 15 Points in Preseason Return
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard scored 15 points in 19 minutes during Wednesday's 123-118 preseason win over the Golden State Warriors, his first game since tearing his left Achilles in April 2025. The 36-year-old shot 5-for-11 from the field and 3-for-8 from three, with all three triples coming in the first quarter. Lillard started alongside Ja Morant and finished with just one assist, but it's too early to read much into that. Sharing playmaking duties with Morant could trim the 7.1 assists Lillard averaged in 2024-25, while his shooting volume still looks intact.
Source: NBA
Source: NBA
Ja Morant Could Come Off the Bench for the Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers guard Ja Morant could come off the bench this season, according to team reporter Casey Holdahl, who noted that the Blazers' decision not to let him wear No. 12 went over without much fuss. Head coach Micah Nori told The Athletic that starting Morant alongside Damian Lillard doesn't make sense, and the two-time All-Star said on media day that starting or not is "the same thing" to him. Jrue Holiday would be the likeliest starter in that scenario. A bench role wouldn't necessarily sink Morant's fantasy value. He played only 28.5 minutes per game in Memphis last season, and leading the second unit would keep the ball in his hands away from Lillard. Efficiency is the bigger concern after he shot 41.0 percent from the field and 23.5 percent from three across 20 games in 2025-26.
Source: Casey Holdahl
Source: Casey Holdahl
Damian Lillard Expects to Start for Portland This Season
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard said he expects to start alongside point guard Ja Morant this season. Speaking at his media availability on Tuesday, Lillard said, "As far as I know, Ja will start, I will start, and Deni will start ... that's as far as I know." Lillard signed with the Blazers during the 2025 offseason while recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered with the Milwaukee Bucks during that postseason. In his last season, Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 7.1 assists in over 36 minutes per game. With him back and healthy, he joins a crowded backcourt that includes Morant, Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, and Shaedon Sharpe. Lillard will likely see minutes restrictions as he enters his 14th season.
Source: Jason Quick
Source: Jason Quick
Trail Blazers Not Exploring Signing DeMar DeRozan
The Portland Trail Blazers were rumored to be interested in signing free-agent point guard DeMar DeRozan this offseason. According to Marc Stein, the Blazers are not exploring bringing in the veteran forward at this moment. The 36-year-old doesn't seem like he would be a great fit in Portland given their surplus of perimeter players. Even with Portland out of the sweepstakes, DeRozan is still reportedly drawing interest from the Heat, Nuggets, Wizards, and Cavaliers. Last season, DeRozan averaged 18.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across 31.2 minutes per game in 77 contests with the Sacramento Kings. He's not the focal point of an offense anymore, but DeRozan could still help a contending team next season.
Source: Marc Stein
Source: Marc Stein
Jrue Holiday Expected to Remain with Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers guard Jrue Holiday was rumored to be possibly leaving the organization this summer. According to Jake Fischer, the Blazers have no plans to buy out Holiday from his contract. There was speculation that Holiday would head to the Philadelphia 76ers, assuming he was able to secure a buyout from Portland. That won't happen, as the Blazers intend to keep Holiday around despite having a boatload of guards. This past season, Holiday averaged 16.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 6.1 assists across 29.4 minutes per game in 53 games. It could be more difficult for Holiday to secure consistent playing time this upcoming season. The Blazers acquired Ja Morant earlier this offseason, and Damian Lillard is fully healthy again. Portland also has Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, so Portland has too many mouths to feed. The aging veterans, such as Holiday and Lillard, are likely to see a reduction in playing time this upcoming season.
Source: Jake Fischer
Source: Jake Fischer
John Tonje Gets Two-Way Deal From Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers have signed guard John Tonje to a two-way deal, according to Shams Charania. Tonje will join the Blazers after spending his rookie season on a two-way deal with the Boston Celtics. He averaged 2.5 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.3 assists in 7.0 minutes per game in six contests last season. Tonje played well during the Summer League and impressed enough to earn a contract from the Blazers. He'll join a crowded backcourt in Portland this upcoming season. It'll likely take a few injuries before Tonje actually gets decent minutes in the rotation. He can be ignored in fantasy formats to begin the season.
Source: Shams Charania
Source: Shams Charania
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
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
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
