U.S. Report: The Star Candidate to Join Portland

U.S. report: The star candidate to join Portland. An NBA writer said, "The fit is very good, he will help the Blazers and help Avdija improve." Sport 5, published: 10.06.26, 17:28

A new candidate: Portland finished a highly successful NBA season more than a month ago, one in which it returned to the playoffs after five years away. Since then, the team has begun preparing for next season, when it hopes to take another step forward and advance past a playoff round for the first time since 2018/19. The Blazers will hope to get stronger this summer and improve ahead of next season, and Sports Illustrated revealed a new candidate.

Domantas Sabonis, who has played for Sacramento over the past four years and was named an All-Star three times, may join Avdija and his teammates. NBA writer Will Zimerle said, "The Blazers have been in a positive process in recent years, and with Damian Lillard returning from injury they will aim to take another step forward. Their defense is excellent, but they need to strengthen their offensive firepower. Lillard will help with that, but they need another upgrade."

Zimerle also explained Sacramento's side of the trade: "Sacramento is in a rebuilding phase. The team will try to move all of its veteran players. Sabonis is still one of the best centers in the league, but he cannot help a team in rebuilding. I think he will be traded."

In addition, the writer addressed the possible partnership between Sabonis and the Israeli star: "Avdija may thrive thanks to the space the Lithuanian will create for him. The fit is not perfect because Donovan Clingan, one of the league's most promising centers, is on the Blazers, but it can help the team a great deal."

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