The Trail Blazers snuck into the postseason via the play-in tournament, only to get bounced in the first round by Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs. Despite a disappointing exit, things are looking up in Portland as the pieces are in place to build a solid foundation.
Portland went from being a lottery team for four years in a row to reaching the playoffs this season. Two years ago, they won 21 games, and doubled that during the 2025–26 campaign. That’s the kind of rapid improvement teams want when they invest in a youth movement. While young guards Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson, two former lottery picks, both showed flashes this season, a true star emerged.
