Missing the NBA Playoffs hasn’t been a commonplace occurrence when it comes to the Portland Trail Blazers. Postseason-bound in eight of the last nine seasons, the Damian Lillard-led group will seek to return to contention in 2022-23. A strong offseason — one ranked as the seventh-best by The Athletic’s David Aldridge — could position them to return to respectability.
Aldridge was sure to preface that the seventh-ranked offseason doesn’t necessarily mean the Blazers will be the seventh-best team. Though, he did speak respectfully of what Joe Cronin maneuvered in short timing.