Following an early exit from the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the Portland Trail Blazers attempted to shift directions this summer with a coaching change and a sequence of moves aimed at improving the second unit. On Monday, NBA.com took the temperature of Portland’s offseason moves in an updated set of rankings for the Western Conference.
The Blazers landed at No. 8 in the Western Conference. NBA.com contributor John Schuhmann touched on the Blazers’ acquisition of Larry Nance Jr. and the defensive issues that plagued Portland last year.
Snagging Nance in the Lauri Markkanen sign-and-trade deal was a nice move, though maybe just a modest upgrade.