It’s never too early to start thinking about next year, especially for the other 29 teams in the NBA not named the New York Knicks. With that spirit, a panel of ESPN’s NBA writers released an ultra-early NBA power rankings looking ahead to the 2026-27 season.
After making the NBA Playoffs this past season as the No. 7 seed in the West, the Portland Trail Blazers landed at No. 19 on ESPN’s list. The ranking placed the Trail Blazers one spot behind the Los Angeles Clippers at No. 18 and one spot above
the Miami Heat at No. 20.
The Blazers’ placement doesn’t reflect a bullish attitude regarding their upward trajectory right now. However, ESPN senior NBA writer (and Blazer’s Edge legend) Ben Golliver sees reasons for optimism, while also calling Portland one of the league’s biggest wild cards this summer from a roster-building standpoint.
The Blazers are one of this summer’s biggest wild cards thanks to new owner Tom Dundon, who executed sweeping layoffs in May, was embroiled in PR mess after PR mess after reports surfaced about his cost-cutting measures, and has yet to name a coach.
Will Dundon pursue a splashy addition or take a more deliberate approach?
The good news: The Blazers, who just snapped a four-year playoff drought, have their most important players under contract for 2026-27 and will welcome back franchise icon Damian Lillard from an Achilles injury.
While a return trip to the playoffs will be the goal, Portland still needs more shooting to compete with the West’s best.
Looking at the list from a Portland-centric lens, my biggest gripe is that the aging Golden State Warriors stand three spots above the Blazers at No. 16. But what do you think, readers of Blazer’s Edge? Barring a big move this summer, is this about where Portland will stand in the NBA hierarchy next season?
