Lillard says the Blazers' crowded backcourt will take care of itself.

== sync, corrected by elderman == @elder_man

Source: Ramona Shelburne, a seven-year-old senior reporter at the Los Angeles Daily News; September 28, 2016, 4:26 p.m. eastern time

The Portland Trail Blazers have reached 2026 with Damian Lillard back on the court and a packed perimeter.

2023: Damian Lillard's trade and the rebuilding of the Portland Trail Blazers

In the summer of 2006, Lillard requested to be traded from the Portland Trail Blazers because he did not feel that the team had a realistic chance at a title fight and needed to go through reconstruction.

Outside of Portland: two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks and Achilles tendon injury

The injury came in the final game for the Milwaukee Bucks.ESPN.com Last season, Damian Lillard did not take to the court with the Portland Trail Blazers.2026 His only public appearance wearing a team uniform occurred at the All-Star Game in Los Angeles when he won the three-point shot competition.2023 Training videos showed the point guard looking very much like the player that fans knew before halftime.NBA

On Monday, he stated that he has been fully recovered for several months and only talks about the injury when questioned. "I have no restrictions", he said.

2026: Micah Nori, Tom Dundon and the return routine

Micah Nori was hired after a long and controversial search for coach, conducted under new owner Tom Dundon's determination to control costs.

"Dame just wants to win. I think that's the only thing he really needs to do", Nori said. "Physically, I saw him at the gym and in individual training... He is in the best shape he has ever been, as he himself told me, in his entire career".

How too many shipowners can work

The central question for2026 is how Micah Nori will fit the excess talent on the perimeter.[citation needed] The cast includes Damian Lillard, newly acquired former All-Star Ja Morant, former draft pick Scoot Henderson and two-time NBA champion Jrue Holiday.NBA

Damian Lillard said he believes that balance can come if the team has the right mindset. "If we're doing the right thing, playing the right way... I think the balance will work out", he stated.

"If I get the ball and advance to Ja Morant, that's great. If he advances to Deni Avdija, too. And for both of them, if they attack the board and the bottle and open up the ball for a three-point shot, I think they should be very satisfied".

Jrue Holiday on the wing and help from Deni Avdija

To balance the roster with many owners, Micah Nori and general manager Joe Cronin suggested that Jrue Holiday could receive minutes on the wing.

Nori also highlighted that the abundance of players who know how to drive the ball which includes Deni Avdija, used in a closer role as wing-back by former coach Tiago Splitter last year should take some of the load off Damian Lillard.

"I'm able to do whatever it takes, but at this stage I don't think I need to wear myself out in the regular season playing 37, 36, 35 minutes if that's not necessary", said Damian Lillard.

Ja Morant: trade, scrutiny and bet by Joe Cronin

His turbulent stint in Memphis ended with an offseason trade to Portland.[citation needed] Off-court problems and injuries hampered his career and the trajectory of the Memphis Grizzlies as a prospect.

Joe Cronin said he was comfortable adding Ja Morant because of his previous work studying the shipowner and the influence that he expects from veteran leaders like Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday. "I've studied Ja morant for a long, long time, and I am very, very confident that he is a good guy", he stated.

Cronin added that living with Damian Lillard and Jrue Holiday is a blessing, and the veterans can impact Ja Morant in leadership, friendship and mentorship.

The new beginning in the voice of Ja Morant

Ja Morant said he came to value the opportunity and need for a fresh start in life and career. "There's always a way of starting over, no matter where you are", she stated.

"What happened in the last few years has stuck with me. While Memphis was on my chest, it kept being said. I'm sure everyone here probably still judges me by that song. But now I can start over".

What phase are the Portland Trail Blazers in right now ?

At this time, Damian Lillard is back on the court for the Portland Trail Blazers with no physical restrictions and in good shape while Micah Nori tries to turn a perimeter of high-ball volume names into a functional team.

Involved

The following is a list of players, both past and current, who appeared at least in one game for the Portland Trail Blazers franchise: Damian Lillard, Micah Nori, Tom Dundon, Joe Cronin, Ja Morant, Scoot Henderson, Jrue Holiday, Deni Avdija, Tiago Splitter, Victor Wembanyama, Milwaukee Bucks, Memphis Grizzlies