In inconspicuous fashion, the Portland Trail Blazers have given Damian Lillard a competent supporting cast, but several trades could upgrade the roster further.
General manager Joe Cronin has the team poised to make the Play-In Tournament at the least, fueled by notable offseason acquisition Jerami Grant. Nonetheless, with a 32-year-old Lillard on the back-end of his prime, more retooling may be needed for a resurgence.
Most salubrious to the success and extension of a superstar’s career in this era are 3-and-D players who can switch several positions and play efficiently. A bench that can alleviate pressure, and rim protection that ignites easy points in transition are the icing on the cake and the cherry on top.