Portland’s camp opens Tuesday with a new coach, a rebuilt guard room and a franchise-level arena decision hanging over the practice floor. Damian Lillard’s return from a lost Achilles season gives the Trail Blazers their familiar voice again, but the first job for Micah Nori and the staff is sorting out who has the ball — and when.
Blazers camp snapshot
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Season opener | Oct. 21 vs. Phoenix Suns |
| Morant career scoring average | 22.4 points per game |
| Morant games played over past three seasons | 79 |
| Lillard career averages | 25.1 points, 6.7 assists |
| State-approved Moda Center funding | $365 million |
| Total proposed Moda Center renovation | $600 million |
The backcourt is the central camp issue after Portland’s late-June deal with Memphis, which sent Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to the Grizzlies for Ja Morant. Morant joins Lillard, Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson on a roster with multiple guards accustomed to directing possessions.
General manager Joe Cronin said the club recognizes that its best players include several ball-dominant guards, making role definition, touches and the team’s overall rhythm immediate concerns. Still, he does not see Portland as seriously undermanned at other spots on the roster.
Morant arrives looking for separation from a difficult stretch in Memphis, where injuries and suspensions limited the two-time All-Star to 79 appearances across the last three seasons. He said a change was needed because the events of recent years continued to follow him while he wore a Memphis uniform.
Lillard, 36, has endorsed the pairing. He returns after missing all of last season with a torn Achilles tendon, having come back to Portland last summer after two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. The guard spent his first 11 NBA seasons with the Blazers.
He said he no longer feels compelled to carry the minute loads from earlier in his career and wants to approach this season with more enjoyment. Lillard also said careers bring setbacks, criticism and high points alike, and that the response to those moments matters. From his time around Morant, Lillard said, he sees “a good dude” and trusts his own read on people.
Nori takes over amid organizational change
Portland’s coaching change came quickly after last season. Tiago Splitter, who had moved from assistant coach into the head job, left for the Chicago Bulls during the offseason. The Blazers hired Nori from the Minnesota Timberwolves’ staff for his first head-coaching assignment.
Nori described the feeling of beginning the job as being like Christmas Eve.
His arrival follows a turbulent stretch away from the court as well. Tom Dundon emerged as the public face of Portland’s new ownership group before last season ended, a campaign in which the Blazers reached the playoffs for the first time in five years. More than 70 staff members were laid off during the offseason.
Moda Center talks approach December deadline
Lillard also voiced hope that the franchise remains in Portland while negotiations continue over a new lease and a proposed renovation of the city-owned Moda Center. The arena is the NBA’s oldest and has not undergone a major refurbishment.
The state has approved $365 million toward the $600 million project, but that funding depends on the city agreeing to provide part of the cost. Portland and the Blazers must reach a lease agreement by December.
Team president Dewayne Hankins said representatives from the club and city are meeting twice each week to work through the remaining issues. “We’re doing everything we can to ensure the Trail Blazers stay right here,” he said.
Camp begins Tuesday, with the Suns due at Moda Center for Portland’s Oct. 21 regular-season opener.
