Trail Blazers’ 2025 Offseason: Holiday Arrives, Lillard Returns, Hansen Drafted
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Portland, OR — August 19, 2025 — The Portland Trail Blazers overhauled their roster this summer, highlighted by the acquisition of Jrue Holiday, the surprise selection of Yang Hansen at No. 16 in the draft, and the return of franchise icon Damian Lillard on a new three-year contract.
Free-agent signings
Damian Lillard rejoined Portland on a three-year, $41,606,800 deal featuring a third-year player option and a no-trade clause, signed with the non-taxpayer mid-level exception. The 35-year-old guard is expected to miss the entire 2025-26 season while rehabbing an Achilles injury.
Blake Wesley accepted a one-year minimum-salary contract via the minimum exception.
Trades
The Blazers landed Jrue Holiday from the Boston Celtics in exchange for Anfernee Simons. Holiday has three seasons and $104.4 million left on his contract.
On draft night, Portland dealt the rights to No. 11 pick Cedric Coward to the Memphis Grizzlies for the draft rights to No. 16 pick Yang Hansen, Orlando’s 2028 first-round pick, Atlanta’s 2027 second-round pick, and Sacramento’s 2028 second-round pick.
Draft pick
Yang Hansen (No. 16) signed a four-year rookie scale contract worth $21,393,587.
Two-way contracts
Caleb Love agreed to a one-year two-way deal with an $85,300 partial guarantee that rises to $318,218 once the regular season begins. Sidy Cissoko remains on a two-way contract carried over from 2024-25.
Departures
- Dalano Banton — unrestricted, unsigned
- Bryce McGowens — signed with the Pelicans
- Justin Minaya — unrestricted, unsigned
- Jabari Walker — signed with the 76ers
Other roster moves
Portland bought out Deandre Ayton, who gave back $10,000,000 of his $35,550,814 salary. The club also exercised its $2,221,677 option on Rayan Rupert.
Salary-cap snapshot
The Trail Blazers are operating above the $154.6 million salary cap and just below the $187.9 million luxury-tax line with approximately $186.4 million in committed salary. They are hard-capped at $195,945,000 and still possess the full $5,134,000 bi-annual exception.
Second-half surge sets the tone
Portland finished last season on a 23-18 run after a 13-28 start, climbing from 28th to third in defensive rating over the final 41 games. Toumani Camara earned All-Defensive Second Team honors, while Deni Avdija (23.3 PPG) and Shaedon Sharpe (21.2 PPG) paced the offense. Rookie center Donovan Clingan assumed the starting role when Ayton was sidelined by a calf injury.
Ownership change pending
Billionaire Tom Dundon has reached a tentative agreement to purchase the franchise from Paul Allen’s estate. The sale awaits approval from the NBA Board of Governors.
Looking ahead
With 15 fully guaranteed contracts and limited tax flexibility, Portland appears set unless a trade emerges. Veterans Jerami Grant and Robert Williams could be moved, though their current market value is low. The team still has one open two-way slot and has invited undrafted rookies Sean Pedulla and Andrew Carr to training camp on Exhibit 10 deals.
Extension talks loom for Shaedon Sharpe, who faces an October 20 rookie-scale deadline, and for Camara, who is eligible for a veteran extension throughout the season.
Source: Hoops Rumors
