The Trail Blazers are coming for the Spurs after last season's playoff loss

There are several teams across the league looking to knock the Spurs off their spot at the top of the Western Conference. But there's one group San Antonio should keep on its radar: the Portland Trail Blazers. They put in a lot of work this summer to make another leap next season.

Now, San Antonio did meet up against this team in the first round of the playoffs, beating them in five games. But this isn't the same Blazers squad, not even close. They have a new head coach in Micah Nori, an All-Star-caliber backcourt, better spacing, and a deeper bench. Above all else, this roster is filled with guys who are playing with a chip on their shoulder.

Now, Portland does have its flaws; make no mistake about it. There will be health concerns, among other things. But the Spurs should absolutely keep an eye out for this team. They're scheduled to meet up four times next season, and if stars align, we could be in for a rematch in the playoffs.

The Trail Blazers significantly boosted their offensive attack

Despite earning their spot in the postseason, Portland had a subpar offensive attack. They ranked 17th in points per game, 29th in field goal efficiency, and 28th in three-point shooting percentage. This resulted in them finishing 21st in offensive rating, the worst mark for any team going into the 2026 playoffs.

Things should look different next season, though. Damian Lillard will be back and fully healthy, and even though he's in his late 30s, he's still an elite three-point shooter. He'll also have Ja Morant as his backcourt mate. His ability to attack the rim and make plays will perfectly complement Lillard's long-distance scoring.

They now have a big three of Morant, Lillard, and Deni Avdija. That's a pretty interesting trio if everyone can stay healthy. Portland also has a solid bench filled with talented players like Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, Jrue Holiday, Robert Williams III, and Micah Potter.

The Blazers are bringing a stronger scoring attack to their matchups against San Antonio next season. No longer will their offense rely so heavily on Avdija's paint touches. Now they have a handful of players who can create their own looks and space the floor.

The Trail Blazers have a lot to prove against the Spurs

There's a lot of motivation for Portland next season. Not only are they eyeing a stronger finish in the Western Conference standings, but they also have so many players who are looking to silence doubters and critics.

Take Ja Morant, for example. Throughout the first few seasons of his career, he looked like a future top-three point guard as he led the Grizzlies to several playoff appearances. But injuries and non-basketball-related issues slowed his progress, leading many to question his value as a player. With a fresh start in Portland, he'll do the work to take back control of his narrative.

Damian Lillard is also entering next season with a ton of motivation. At 36, he's eyeing a deep playoff run with the team that believed in him from the start. We've all seen it: there's nothing scarier than a driven Damian Lillard. The man doesn't duck competition. I mean, we just saw him win a three-point shootout in a year that he didn't even play.

The Blazers won't be perfect, but they're bringing some new tools to their battles against San Antonio. This is a true sleeper team that will take every opportunity to gain the upper hand on their Western Conference foes.

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