Portland Trail Blazers 2026–27 projection
5th in the West · NorthwestNew coachFirst full season with a new head coach. Such teams have been less predictable, so the range is wider; projected wins don’t change.
44.7±8.2How far a typical season lands from the projection, in wins (one standard deviation). Bigger means a wider range. projected wins
- Net ratingProjected point differential per game: points scored minus points allowed. Positive means outscoring opponents.
- +1.6
- Likely winsThe middle 80% of simulated seasons land in this range of wins.
- 34–55
- Minutes backShare of last season’s team minutes played by players still on this roster. Retained injured players count; new arrivals don’t.
- 71%
Range of outcomesEvery simulated season for this team. The bright middle is where 80% of seasons land; the dot is the projection.
Middle 80% of simulated seasons: 34 to 55 wins. Worst 5% average 27 wins; best 5% average 61 wins.
- Worst 5%Average wins in the unluckiest 5% of simulated seasons.
- 27
- Middle 80%The middle 80% of simulated seasons land in this range of wins.
- 34–55
- Best 5%Average wins in the luckiest 5% of simulated seasons.
- 61
Biggest swing playersPlayers whose uncertain performance or availability moves this team’s strength the most.: Donovan Clingan, Damian Lillard and Deni Avdija.
Postseason chances
- 74%PlayoffsChance to reach the 16-team playoffs, directly or through the simulated play-in.
- 56%Top 6Chance to finish first through sixth in the conference: an automatic playoff spot.
- 30%Play-inChance to finish seventh through tenth and enter the play-in, whether or not the team advances.
- 3%No. 1 seedChance to finish first in the conference in the regular season.
Team profileScores run 1–100 across the 30 teams, keeping the real gaps between them. Not a percentile. The tick marks the league average.
- SpacingThree-point threat: projected threes made per 100 possessions, weighted by each player’s estimated minutes.
- ReboundingShare of missed shots this rotation should grab, from players’ own rebounding and how teams rebound with them on court.
- Rim defenseRim protection from shot-contest data and how often opponents reach the rim with each player on the court.
- CreationHow much scoring and playmaking the rotation carries: shots, free-throw trips and assists per 100 possessions. More is not automatically better.
- Age riskWins this team could lose in a bad year for its older players (the worst 10% of cases). A what-if, not a prediction. 7th-most of 30 teams.: −2.8 wins in a bad year for the veterans
Projected rotation
| PlayerTap a row for a quick look. The name opens his full page. | ImpactHow many points per 100 possessions he adds compared with an average player. 0 is average. | Est. minutesEstimated regular-season minutes, allowing for health, role and competition for playing time. |
|---|---|---|
| Toumani CamaraF · 26.4Low error barsA narrower Impact range than most, backed by a large recent NBA sample at a prime age. | +0.43 | 2,324 |
| Deni AvdijaF · 25.7 | +1.66 | 2,228 |
| Donovan ClinganC · 22.6 | +2.41 | 1,960 |
| Jrue HolidayG · 36.3 | +1.12 | 1,821 |
| Ja MorantG · 27.1Injury flagLeft elbow injury. Expected full recovery before 2026-27 per prior team statement | +2.10 | 1,757 |
| Scoot HendersonG · 22.6 | −1.39 | 1,746 |
| Damian LillardG · 36.2Injury flagLeft Achilles rupture. Expected return after entire 2025-26 season missedHigh error barsA wider Impact range than most players in projected rotations. | +1.13 | 1,735 |
| Sidy CissokoG · 22.5 | −1.56 | 1,455 |
| Vít KrejčíG · 26.3 | −1.78 | 1,364 |
| Robert Williams IIIC-F · 28.9 | +0.46 | 875 |
Projected West
- 1
Thunder61.1±6.6>99%
- 2
Spurs54.7±7.197%
- 3
Rockets52.7±7.296%
- 4
Nuggets45.4±8.176%
- 5
Trail Blazers44.7±8.274%
- 6
Timberwolves42.1±7.466%
- Play-in · seeds 7–10
- 7
Warriors41.5±7.462%
- 8
Lakers40.3±7.854%
- 9
Suns37.3±7.340%
- 10
Mavericks36.5±7.937%
- Outside the play-in
- 11
Grizzlies34.7±7.428%
- 12
Clippers33.1±7.122%
- 13
Jazz32.8±7.421%
- 14
Pelicans32.7±7.822%
- 15
Kings27.7±6.87%
Season context
- ScheduleWins gained or lost from this team’s schedule versus a balanced one. Positive means an easier schedule.
- −0.4 wins2nd-hardest
- Rotation ageAverage age of the rotation, weighted by estimated minutes. Players expected to play more count more.
- 27.2Veteran-heavyAt least 35% of estimated minutes go to players 32 or older, or 15% to players 35 or older.
New coachFirst full season with a new head coach. Such teams have been less predictable, so the range is wider; projected wins don’t change.: Micah Nori, a first-time head coach (was Minnesota lead assistant). Expect a wider range of outcomes.