With the 2025 NBA playoffs here and the lottery order set, we're turning our attention to how every eliminated team should approach the offseason, including through the draft, free agency and trades. Which eliminated contenders are one deal away from a title run? Which franchises have massive draft and trade decisions ahead? How quickly can the league's rebuilding teams progress? We're breaking down the potential moves for each franchise, including a look at the state of the roster, finances, front-office priorities, extension candidates to watch, team needs and future draft assets. Key: ETO = Early Termination Option | P = Player Option | R = Restricted | T = Team Option Jump to a team: ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id...-draft-free-agency-trade-targets-30-teams#por
Eliminated after regular season Portland Trail Blazers 2024-25 record: 36-46 Draft picks in June: No. 11 (own) Free agents: Dalano Banton, Rayan Rupert (T), Matisse Thybulle (P), Jabari Walker (R), Justin Minaya (R) and Bryce McGowens (R) State of the roster: There are two words that determine a successful season when you are rebuilding: progress and hope. The progress comes with the tale of two seasons. The first half prior to Jan. 18 resembled more of the 21-61 team from a year ago, as the Blazers posted a 13-28 record with the development of the younger players stalled. But since the end of January, there were signs of progress in Portland. "I love what we have," Trail Blazers GM Joe Cronin said in February. "I love what we've been working on. I love how we're developing. Right now, we're learning a lot about each other. It's been a lot of fun." Portland won 10 out of 11 games from Jan. 19 to Feb. 6. In that three-week stretch, a defensive identity was molded and the Trail Blazers ranked first in efficiency, after being ranked 28th over the first 41 games. With the second half progress, hope has grown for the future. The Trail Blazers will add a lottery pick to a roster that returns 13 players, including Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan. The Blazers also recently signed head coach Chauncey Billups to a multiyear contract extension. With the progress this season also comes big questions over the summer. The Trail Blazers have four veterans -- Anfernee Simons, Matisse Thybulle, Robert Williams III and Deandre Ayton -- entering the last year of their contracts. Offseason finances: With 13 players under contract for next offseason, Portland is over the salary cap but well below the luxury tax to add during free agency or in a trade. With their upcoming lottery pick, the Blazers are $11 million below the tax and $17 million below the first apron. Thybulle, who dealt with various injuries while playing the fewest games of his career, has until June 24 to opt in to his $11.5 million salary for next season, while the Trail Blazers could gain roster relief with the non-guaranteed contracts of Rayan Rupert and Duop Reath. The $2.2 million Rupert contract is guaranteed on July 1, and Duop's $2.2 million contract will be guaranteed on Aug. 1. Portland has the four exceptions -- non-tax mid-level, biannual, second round and veteran minimum -- available. Top front-office priority: Besides the draft, there were two sets of priorities in Portland this offseason. The first was accomplished when Portland extended Billups. Billups, who was hired in 2021, had been tasked with transforming a team that was once led by Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum into a team that now has 11 of 15 players under the age of 25. "A thousand percent, I definitely want to see it through," Billups told the Oregonian during the season. "It's taken a whole lot to get to this point and I would hate to not be able to continue to lead this thing. But it's not my decision." Portland increased its win total by 14 games from last season without signing a free agent. The second is to find clarity with their veterans. Ayton, Simons, Williams and Thybulle are not only in the last year of their contract but are also extension eligible. Simons has led the team in scoring two straight seasons. Portland could have a projected $70 million in cap space next offseason if the four players are not extended. Extension candidate to watch: Toumani Camara and Shaedon Sharpe are two of the eight players on the roster who are extension eligible. Camara had 11 games with three steals or more this season. He also ranked in the 80th percentile in steals and blocks among all wings, per Cleaning the Glass, and the Trail Blazers were plus-36.1 points per possession when he shared the floor with Simons, Avdija and Clingan. He has two years left on his contract ($2.2 million and $2.4 million) and is eligible to sign a four-year, $89.2 million extension starting on July 20. To maximize their finances, Portland is better off waiting until next offseason to offer Camara a new contract. Sharpe is one of the more intriguing rookie extension candidates because of his upside. After missing most of last season because of an abductor injury, Sharpe averaged a career-high 18.5 points. He came off the bench in all but four games since the All-Star break. Other extension candidates: Jabari Walker (through June 30), Robert Williams, Anfernee Simons, Deandre Ayton, Matisse Thybulle (as of July 10) and Rayan Rupert Team needs: Internal development of its young players. A reserve veteran lead guard who can mentor Henderson. Perimeter shooting (the Trail Blazers ranked 25th in 3-point percentage this season, and last in 2023-24). Draft assets: The Blazers owe Chicago a top-14-protected first-round pick with the pick's protection extending to 2028. They have the 2029 most- and least-favorable first of their own between Boston and Milwaukee, and have the right to swap first-rounders with Milwaukee in 2028 and 2030. The swap rights in 2028 are extinguished if the Trail Blazers send Chicago their first that year. With their first this season (they can trade it the night of the draft), Portland has four firsts available to trade. They also have five seconds.
