This is also the first season since 2011–12 without Damian Lillard on the roster, as he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Jrue Holiday, Deandre Ayton, Toumani Camara, and a 2029 first-round draft pick.
[1] Four days later, Holiday was traded to the Boston Celtics in exchange for Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, and two future first-round draft picks.
Then, near the end of the first round, the Trail Blazers selected power forward Kris Murray from the University of Iowa as the 23rd pick.
Finally, around the middle of the second round, Portland would end their draft night by selecting French shooting guard Rayan Rupert of the New Zealand Breakers in Australia's National Basketball League.
[7][8] During the in-season tournament period, the Trail Blazers competed in Group A of the Western Conference, which included the Memphis Grizzlies, the Phoenix Suns, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Utah Jazz.