The Portland Trail Blazers could have a more difficult path to the playoffs this season, even if the roster takes another step forward. With fewer teams expected to prioritize losing, Portland may not have as many opportunities to pick up wins against opponents focused on improving their draft position.
ESPN's Zach Kram recently highlighted that concern while predicting Portland could finish with a losing record and still return to the playoffs. Kram pointed to the team's struggles with positional depth and the possibility that last season's success against tanking teams could be harder to replicate, "Portland finishes with a losing record, but returns to the playoffs anyway," Kram wrote. "Not only do the Trail Blazers have to sort out a tricky positional logjam, but they snuck over .500 last season only because they beat up on tanking teams -- which shouldn't exist this season."
That presents an interesting challenge for a Portland team trying to build on its recent progress. The Blazers showed they could compete for a postseason spot last year, but the circumstances surrounding the Western Conference could make that accomplishment more difficult to repeat.
The NBA's changes to discourage tanking could have a significant impact on teams like Portland. If more struggling franchises remain competitive throughout the season instead of prioritizing losses, there could be fewer easy wins available. For a team fighting to stay in the playoff picture, those games can make a meaningful difference in the standings.
Portland also has to navigate a crowded rotation, particularly with multiple players competing for opportunities in the backcourt and across the wing positions. Finding the right combinations will be important as the team looks to establish consistency against a competitive Western Conference field.
Still, Kram sees a reason for optimism when it comes to Portland's postseason chances. Donovan Clingan, Toumani Camara, Deni Avdija and Jrue Holiday give the Blazers a collection of talent that could make them a difficult matchup in the play-in tournament, "However, Donovan Clingan, Toumani Camara, Avdija and Jrue Holiday would bring a lot of talent to the wild-card round, so Portland can still make the playoffs even if it takes a step back in the regular season."
That distinction could define Portland's season. The Blazers might not be able to rely on the same favorable matchups that helped them last year, but they still have the personnel to compete for a postseason berth.
A tougher regular season would not necessarily mean the franchise is moving backward. Instead, it could be a sign of a more competitive league, one that forces Portland to earn more of its wins. If the Blazers can navigate their rotation questions and remain competitive against stronger opponents, they could still find themselves playing meaningful basketball after the regular season ends.