One of the key issues facing the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2026-27 season is how well veteran guards Damian Lillard and Ja Morant can play together. Analysts have questions their size, their defensive acumen, and (at a basic level) how well each will be able to share the ball.
Former Trail Blazers coach P.J. Carlesimo sees no problem with the pairing, however.
Speaking with a site called NextPredict, the veteran coach and analyst pinned his hopes on the approach and attitude of Lillard, saying
there’s no way that Dame would let the team, or Morant, fail:
“I don’t think there’s any question,” Carlesimo said. “Not that Ja is not capable of adjusting, but Dame is such a smart player. Dame will figure it out. Dame will do whatever it takes for the two of them to excel. And Dame will go out of his way to make sure Ja gets back to being Ja.
“Dame’s game is so good and he’s so smart. He will do whatever he needs to do to still be Dame, and yet at the same time, there’s no bad ego there with Dame. He will make sure things work out for Ja.”
Portland fans will get their first look at the new Blazers on Wednesday night, as preseason opens against the Golden State Warriors at 7:00 PM, Pacific.
