Remember the oft-used marketing slogan the Portland Trail Blazers once used, “Rise With Us?” Over the years the slogan has been amalgamated to convey the same thing, such as, Rip City Rising. We Rise Together, etc. The franchise has often leaned hard into selling the potential of an underdog in the midst of its development. Like waiting for a cake to bake one might infer. The fans have to be patient through those growing pains, while rooting for what they hope is a young group of talent that will
someday begin the next winning era.
We’ve now reached the point on the Rise With Us Ride, where we get off, and go stand in line for our next attraction. “The Win Now” Tower of Terror! At one point in time, if you said Damian Lillard and Ja Morant we’re my starting backcourt, I’d ask you what version of NBA2K are you playing. It’s crazy, it goes against the grain, its explosive. And now it’s real life. We are going to watch two of the most talented guards in the NBA over the past 10 years, look to instantly kick start a team that finished last season as the Western Conference’s 7 seed. Portland ended a 5-year playoff drought, which means new owner Tom Dundon has never had a losing season and never missed the playoffs.
He recently told Blazers’ season ticket holders in an email, he’s committed to bringing a championship here. He’s also spoken publicly about his priority of spending on talent, and on the needs of the talent. Case in point, Joe Cronin in his postseason press conference made it seem Dundon was giddy about the new hyperbaric chamber he ordered for the team. There’s plenty of justified frustration throughout the Blazers Universe over the way he’s handled the business side of the franchise since taking control in March, but there’s also an ultra-competitive spirit in him. For a Portland team that couldn’t have been more irrelevant this entire decade, expectations are back on the menu.
In our final preseason Blazers Edge Roundtable discussion, we ask….
What is the ceiling for the 2026-27 Blazers?
Paul Navarre: Sixth seed, and a first-round series nobody wants to play. My heart wants to go higher, but the West is too strong. This roster doesn’t have clear answers for its biggest questions: who defends on the perimeter, and how many games Dame and Ja can stay on the floor together.
Josh Fisher: The third seed, but the floor is tenth. The 2026-27 Western Conference feels like a season where two teams stand head and shoulders above the rest. There’s the Spurs, there’s the Thunder, then there’s everyone else. The Portland Trail Blazers are an “everyone else”.
Adrian Bernecich: Seventh seed. I don’t think they’re better than the Spurs, Thunder, Nuggets, Rockets, Wolves or Lakers. But I’m all for them proving me wrong.
Max Contract: If most things go right (meaning health and on court chemistry), I think a 3 seed is within reach, because the Blazers can make a case they’ve joined the likes of Denver, Houston, and Minnesota. Denver has been on a nose dive three consecutive years. Houston gets some key vets back, but they have their warts after being upset in the first round last year by a short-handed Lakers team. And Minnesota is sounding pretty cocky about their new backcourt taking them to the promised land. I’ll believe that when I see it.
This is the most talented Blazers team since the 2014-15 season, and the motivation to succeed is sewn everywhere. Dame coming back with something to prove. Full Stop. Scoot playing for his financial future. Everything Ja. Full Stop. Deni is all gas, no brakes. Toumani and Donovan carry the weight of being the defensive pillars. Rob’s trying to earn another fully guaranteed year. End of the bench guys are all looking to get another contract. Then you have the head coach on his controversial deal, coaching for his future. If you want to say the pressure is up and the heat is on, it is. Last year, the mantra was let’s just see how far they can go? After winning the Play-In Tournament, and giving the eventual Western Conference Champion Spurs a respectable fight while not playing their best, Portland has fortified itself with explosive offensive potential, and reasonable depth in their rotation.
Now, back to the beginning, how likely are most things to go right? Pretty debatable. Health concerns abound, and everyone is on pins and needles about how the defense will perform. Their preseason competition has resembled a varsity team playing the freshman squad, but there are signs of a Blazer team that’s very focused. They are approaching games with how they want to start the regular season. A far departure for how the past 4+ preseasons have felt. I think we’re seeing nice chemistry developing with Deni and Dame, which may be the most critical on court duo. Those two have to click for the Blazers to ascend to their lofty goal of a 50-win season.
There’s enough on the line for almost everyone that I feel comfortable saying the Blazers finish no worse than 7th, but will fight like heck to avoid the Spurs and Thunder in the first round. If they finish in the top 6, their ceiling feels like making it to second round. If they can, they’ll likely face one of the West’s final bosses. That will give the front office a great look at what’s needed in the offseason to keep building the momentum forward.
Kevin Lawler: I’ll say the fourth seed is the ceiling, but I actually think the play-in is more likely. There’s a lot of talent on this team, but the crowded backcourt will be awkward and the lack of three-point shooting will remain a problem. Wherever they end up, I’m glad that the tanking era is over and I’m excited to have actual basketball to distract from the off-court drama.
Thanks for that last part Kevin. I have a feeling we’re all with you in sharing that sentiment. In the words of the late, great boxing referee Mills Lane, “Let’s get it on!”
Blazers Edge, how far can this team go?
