Portland Trail Blazers Focus on Defense Amid Roster Changes for 2024-25 Season

The Portland Trail Blazers are gearing up for the 2024-25 NBA season with a strong emphasis on defense, which they view as the core to their success. They made key offseason acquisitions including Jrue Holiday and drafted Yang Hansen, aiming to improve on last season's defensive progress, which saw a mid-season surge but overall mediocre rankings in several defensive metrics. Despite the setback of Scoot Henderson's hamstring injury, the team remains optimistic about their depth and defensive potential, with veterans and young players eager to elevate their performance. Damian Lillard has returned to Portland but will miss the season due to Achilles rehab, with the team focusing on building an offensive identity around the established defensive foundation. Additionally, the franchise is in transition with a potential new owner in Tom Dundon and ongoing discussions about renovating the aging Moda Center arena. The Blazers are determined to build on last season's defensive identity and aim to compete at a higher level in the Western Conference.