The Portland Trailblazers are entering the 2025-26 season with a different level of hope with the return of Damian Lillard and acquisition of Jrue Holiday through a trade with the Boston Celtics.
They also got Scoot Henderson who has been steadily improving since the 2003 draft and is expected to take a leap with Holiday and Lillard to guide him.
These players mentioned will have a critical role for the Blazers who are still looking to develop but for an NBA analyst, a higher level will be reached if fourth year guard Shaedon Sharpe will also take a leap.
“The Blazers showed modest improvement last season and traded for Jrue Holiday, who should bring steady leadership. Damian Lillard will be out until next season, but their growth rests on the play of shooting guard Shaedon Sharpe,” wrote Lorenzo Reyes of USA Today.
Sharpe, the team’s seventh overall pick in the 2022 draft, is expected to have more touches this season with the departure of their highest scorer Anfernee Simons who was part of the package that got them holiday.
The fourth year shooting guard was their second best scorer with 18.3 points per game.
Damian Lillard wants active role as mentor to youngins’
Sharpe’s development also relies heavily on himself as he is now surrounded with veterans who could help him.
Lillard will not be able to play a game at all until the end of the 2026 NBA calendar after getting injured while with the Milwaukee Bucks but he is determined to help the team to the best of his ability.
Becoming a mentor was the first thing he put forward when asked by reporters about his recovery last month.
“One thing that I’ve missed over the last two years playing on an older team is, I’m able to be more and give more when I have something to pour into,” he said.
“When I’m invested in others’ careers more.”
Holiday feels the same way. He he is excited to guide Henderson and Sharpe.
“Younger guys that you could tell love the game of basketball. They love to hoop. You could tell they give 110% every time they play. So, super excited to — if it’s mentor — mentor them, but just kind of play the game. Be able to go out here and show the world not just my talent, but theirs. And just from playing against them, they have long roads ahead of them, they’re going to have very long careers.”
For the latest Basketball Content
Make sure you are always updated on your favorite basketball players and teams. Follow us @HardwoodHeroics for the latest and trending news about NBA, college basketball, and more. Stay updated by reading more of our NBA articles by clicking here and college basketball by clicking here!
