Tom Dundon’s reported agreement to buy the Portland Trail Blazers for more than $4 billion signals a bold ownership transition with deep civic ambitions. His group—featuring Marc Zahr of Blue Owl Capital and Portland-based Sheel Tyle—plans to keep the team in Portland and pursue a new arena, a move Commissioner Adam Silver has indicated will be part of the sale discussions. The philanthropic angle is front-and-center, with proceeds from the sale slated for charity per Paul Allen’s trust.

On the floor, Portland is rebuilding around a young core that includes Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Yang Hansen, and Deni Avdija, while Damian Lillard is set to miss the coming season due to a torn Achilles. Fantasy managers should watch Henderson and Sharpe for early-season heavy workloads, observe Avdija’s fit in this new era, and weigh how a modern arena timeline could influence roster moves and development as the team navigates continuity and growth.

Portland's ranking chatter is entertaining but imperfect. The piece argues rankings are mostly discussion, not a blueprint, and Portland’s geographic and visibility challenges help explain why Blazer players often miss top-tier credit. With Damian Lillard sidelined for at least a year, the piece stresses that the team must prioritize roster fit and developmental pace over chasing the league’s flashiest names.

In this frame, Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija anchor the core, while a guard upgrade should avoid overloading scorers or shrinking the Blazers’ spacing. Russell Westbrook is offered as a cautionary example: his scoring and playmaking can miss Portland’s rhythm if the surrounding pieces aren’t aligned. The author leans toward a lower-usage, spacing-minded guard or even a skilled G League option who won’t disrupt the offense, arguing that true roster construction is about fit first, reputation second. The piece concludes that Joe Cronin should optimize development and cohesion rather than chase external perception, especially with the No. 1 option still unsettled.

EuroBasket 2025 showcases 20 NBA-connected stars in a condensed, high-stakes field, led by Nikola Jokic, Luka Dončić, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. The ranking blends production with ceiling, spotlighting how international form could bleed into next season’s fantasy value. Sandro Mamukelashvili anchors Georgia’s offense, while Franz Wagner and Alperen Şengün appear on a sharp rise as versatile scorers. Kristaps Porziņģis’ health and Lauri Markkanen’s shooting range loom large for their respective teams. The piece also weighs Dončić’s brand of pace, Jokic’s all-around supremacy, and Giannis’ supercharged impact, mapping a path to potential fantasy dividends across both European and NBA rosters.

Beyond the top trio, the list emphasizes players who can push into perennial All-NBA conversations with expanded roles: Sengün as a playmaking big, Vlatko Čančar/Porziņģis as two-way hubs, and Avdija as a two-way wing who could anchor Portland’s growth. It highlights France’s depth with Coulibaly and Risacher, Serbia’s Bogdanović and Jokič-like offensive gravity, and Spain’s Santi Aldama as a shooting big on a frontline ready for primetime. In sum, the EuroBasket 2025 slate offers a blueprint for fantasy-believers scouting breakout potential, injury risk, and roster-fit as players cross the Atlantic for the 2025-26 season.

Robert Williams III remains a tantalizing defensive force for Portland, but a pair of injury-riddled seasons has Blazers fans weighing the risk of keeping him on the books as he nears free agency. With Deandre Ayton out of the picture and a crowded center rotation featuring Donovan Clingan, Yang Hansen, Duop Reath, Toumani Camara, and Deni Avdija, Williams’ floor time is far from guaranteed. A healthy Williams could still be a cornerstone, but 40 games would be a meaningful baseline to unlock trade value or an extension in a tight, youth-heavy lineup.

In Portland’s world, Williams’ rim protection, reach and feel for help defense matter most when he’s on the floor. Offensively, he finishes efficiently at the rim and can pass out of traffic, but durability is the dividing line between a high-impact role and a luxury add. The Blazers face a fork in the road at the February deadline: maximize Williams as a trade chip if he stays healthy, or recalibrate the frontcourt around their budding bigs if health falters.

The Portland Trail Blazers are on a quest for greatness, and the spotlight shines brightly on Deni Avdija as the consensus top player heading into the season. Though his contributions are commendable with solid defense, hustle, and savvy playmaking skills, the question remains: Is he the franchise cornerstone?

The league landscape reveals a daunting challenge. While Avdija's talent is undeniable, comparisons to other rising stars indicate that Portland is still in search of a true superstar. Teams like the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers boast players like Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Joel Embiid, who clearly surpass Avdija in terms of stardom and impact.

The Blazers' future hinges on the development of Avdija and emerging talents like Shaedon Sharpe. Yet, the competition remains fierce, with nearly 20 teams fielding players who may outshine Avdija, suggesting that Portland must continue to build its roster strategically.