Alright, strap in, because NBA insider Chris Haynes just dropped a bombshell about the Portland Trail Blazers’ starting lineup for the 2026-27 season. Ja Morant is officially set to start right next to Damian Lillard in the backcourt, which is gonna redefine how that team plays right out of the gate.
Portland’s New Look: Who’s Starting and Who’s Not
This Morant-Lillard backcourt pairing is wild to think about. That’s some serious firepower and speed leading their offense. But here’s the kicker: Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson, two big names, are reportedly coming off the bench. Yeah, you read that right. Holiday and Henderson are gonna be Portland’s sixth and seventh men. It shows you the kind of talent they’re trying to pack into every minute. Rounding out the starting five will be Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija, and Donovan Clingan, filling those frontcourt spots. It’s an interesting mix, no doubt, and it clearly prioritizes scoring and playmaking in that starting backcourt.
The Big Trade That Brought Morant to Town
If you’re wondering how Morant even landed in Portland, let’s flash back a bit. The Trail Blazers swung a massive deal with the Memphis Grizzlies on June 29, acquiring Morant in exchange for forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray. It was a move that signaled a huge shift for Portland, clearly pushing their chips all-in on creating a dynamic, high-octane offense built around star power. This isn’t just a tweak; it’s a whole new identity for the Blazers.
With Morant and Lillard leading the charge and that kind of talent coming off the bench, the Blazers are certainly going to be a team to watch in the early parts of this season. It’s all about how that chemistry builds, especially with so many key players in new roles. The league is definitely taking notice of this setup.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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