Tough Schedule Exactly What Trail Blazers Need

Dustin and Sage return for the 445th episode of the Holy Backboard Podcast to break down the latest news surrounding the Portland Trail Blazers. They discuss the recent approval of $573 million in public funding for arena renovations and why the agreement provides more confidence that the Trail Blazers are staying in Portland for the long haul. The guys also look back at Summer League, including Yang's development. While he showed flashes of being able to dominate lower-level competition, he remains a multi-year project who needs to improve his lateral movement, strength, rebounding, and defense while adjusting some of the habits he developed playing in the CBA. Dustin and Sage then dive into Portland's guard-heavy roster, how coach Micah Nori could distribute minutes, and why playing time needs to be earned rather than determined by draft position or reputation. They also discuss the health of several key players and how injuries could impact the rotation. Plus, they explain their optimism about Ja Morant's potential impact as a playmaker, Portland's flexibility with its future draft assets, and what moves could still be ahead. Finally, they break down the 2026-27 Trail Blazers schedule, including a brutal early stretch of road games, 14 back-to-backs, and plenty of matchups against elite competition.