Everyone in Portland is looking at the same map, but nobody’s following the same directions. It's January 2026, and if you walk into the Moda Center, the vibe is weirdly electric for a team hovering around the .500 mark. You see the jerseys. Lillard is back—kind of. Scoot is on the shelf. Shaedon is jumping out of the gym.
But here’s the thing: the national media is still talking about this team like it’s a rebuilding project. It’s not. Not exactly. The Portland Trail Blazers basketball players on the court right now are part of a bizarre, high-stakes experiment in roster construction that basically ignores every "standard" way to build an NBA team.
The Deni Avdija Ascension Is Real
If you haven't been watching the box scores lately, you’ve missed a total transformation. Deni Avdija isn't just a "nice piece" anymore. Honestly, he’s been playing like an All-Star. In early January 2026, he even picked up a Western Conference Player of the Week nod.
He’s averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 rebounds, and nearly 7 assists.
Think about those numbers. That’s primary-option production from a guy who was supposed to be a secondary playmaker. With the interim coach Tiago Splitter leaning into a more European-style, motion-heavy offense, Avdija has become the sun that everything else revolves around. People used to say he couldn't shoot. Now? He’s hitting 35% of his threes on high volume. It changes everything.
Shaedon Sharpe and the Consistency Problem
Then there's Shaedon Sharpe.
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Man, he’s frustrating. And brilliant. Usually in the same forty-eight minutes.
He’s finally north of 20 points per game, which is what we all expected. But the efficiency is a rollercoaster. He’ll drop 29 points on the Jazz with seven assists, looking like the best player on the floor, and then go invisible for three quarters against a bottom-feeder.
The physical tools are still there. He’s nearly 23 now, and the "potential" tag is starting to wear thin. He needs to get paid soon. The Blazers haven't locked him into an extension yet, which makes every game a public audition. When he's aggressive—getting to the rim, finishing lobs, using that 6'12" wingspan on defense—he looks like a cornerstone. When he settles for contested mid-rangers? Not so much.
The Center Logjam: Clingan vs. Yang
The most fascinating drama involves the guys over seven feet tall.
Donovan Clingan is a monster. There’s no other way to put it. He’s averaging a double-double and basically acting as a one-man "no-fly zone" in the paint. He recently had a game with 17 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 offensive boards. That is pure, unadulterated grit.
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But then there’s Yang Hansen.
The rookie from China has a game that looks like a 7-foot-1 version of a point guard. The comparisons to Nikola Jokic started before he even landed in PDX. Right now, he’s spending some time with the Rip City Remix to get his feet under him, but when he’s up with the big club, the "Twin Towers" lineup with Clingan is something the fans are begging to see.
- Donovan Clingan: The defensive anchor. He wants 30+ minutes and is finally getting them.
- Yang Hansen: The visionary. High-post passing that makes you rub your eyes.
- Robert Williams III: The veteran safety net, though health is always the "if" with Time Lord.
It's a weird problem to have. Most teams are small. Portland is massive.
What’s Going on with the Veterans?
It still feels surreal to see Damian Lillard back in the building. But don't expect him to suit up anytime soon. He’s essentially a "player-coach" while he rehabs a torn Achilles. He’s been huge for the young guys, especially Scoot Henderson, but his impact is purely in the locker room for now.
And then there's Jrue Holiday.
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He’s 35. He’s been a stabilizer for a backcourt that's been decimated by injuries, including Scoot’s recent hamstring tear. Jrue is still putting up 15 points and 7 assists while playing that "all-NBA" defense we’ve seen for a decade. He’s the adult in the room.
The Scoot Henderson Sidenote
We have to talk about Scoot.
His sophomore season hasn't been the linear explosion fans hoped for. The talent is undeniable—the speed, the "blow-by" ability—but the hamstring injury in late 2025 really derailed his momentum. Before going down, he was showing flashes of improved shooting, which was the big question mark coming out of his rookie year.
He's only 21. If you're writing him off, you're not paying attention.
Actionable Insights for Blazers Fans
If you're following the Portland Trail Blazers basketball players this season, here’s how to actually judge if this team is "winning" the year:
- Watch the Assist Totals: Under Tiago Splitter, the Blazers are moving the ball more than they ever did under the Dame-era ISO ball. If the team is north of 25 assists, the system is working.
- Monitor the Clingan/Yang Minutes: The front office is evaluating who the "center of the future" is. If they start playing together effectively, the Blazers have a unique advantage against the rest of the league's small-ball lineups.
- Check the Free Throw Attempts: Shaedon Sharpe’s growth is measured by how often he gets to the line. Settling for jumpers is a bad sign; attacking the rim is the path to All-Star status.
- Ignore the Record (for now): The West is a bloodbath in 2026. A 19-22 record doesn't mean they're failing; it means they're a young team learning how to close out games in a conference where every night is a battle.
The Blazers aren't the finished product yet. They're a collection of high-upside pieces and legendary veterans trying to find a common language. Whether it's Avdija's triple-double threats or Clingan's dominant rebounding, the identity of this team is finally shifting away from the past and toward something much more physical and versatile.