Portland Trail Blazers 2024-25 Season Preview, Predictions, & Odds

The Portland Trail Blazers are beginning year two of the post-Damian Lillard era, as they look to rebuild for the future.

NBA futures odds are available to bet online at the BetMGM online sportsbook, including basketball lines for NBA champion, division winner, and player awards.

Portland Trail Blazers Futures Odds

Win Total: 22.5

Northwest Division: +30000

Western Conference: +50000

NBA Championship: +100000

The NBA betting odds market continues to be low on a Portland team that went 21-61 last year, its lowest win total since a 21-victory campaign in 2005-06.

Portland Trail Blazers Offseason Moves

The Blazers used the seventh pick on Donovan Clingan. 

They traded Malcolm Brogdon and the 14th pick to the Washington Wizards in a deal that landed them Deni Avdija.

Portland Trail Blazers Additions

Portland Trail Blazers Departures

Portland Trail Blazers 2024-25 Betting Prediction

Prediction: Under 22.5 Wins (-120)

I predict that the Trail Blazers will win under 22.5 games.

Scoot Henderson averaged 14 points and 5.4 assists per game but shot just 38.5% from the field and 32.5% from 3-point land.

Henderson has an incredible burst on drives to the rim and a decent crossover, but his finishing at the rim wasn’t very efficient.

sc00t punch for your morning 🤜

Scoot Henderson | Top 5 Dunks of ‘23 – ‘24 pic.twitter.com/bdPT05OC3G

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) April 25, 2024

Henderson can also stop on a dime and pull up in the midrange or go to a stepback jumper, but he wasn’t particularly efficient with those shots either.

As a playmaker, Henderson can feed his teammates on the pick-and-roll through tight gaps, throw quick lobs from as far as halfcourt, push the ball in transition, and throw bullet and skip passes.

The third pick of the 2023 NBA Draft’s shot percentages should improve as he gets more acclimated to the league. The eye test suggests that he has all the tools to become one of the better point guards this league has to offer.

Shaedon Sharpe appeared in just 32 games last season due to a core muscle injury after suiting up in 80 during his rookie season. 

Sharpe’s scoring average went up from 9.9 to 15.9, but his field goal percentage dropped from 47.2% to 40.6%.

Sharpe has a well-rounded skill set when it comes to scoring the ball, given his ability to drive in for some explosive or acrobatic finishes, knock down the 3-pointer, go to the stepback, and create off the dribble in the midrange.

Defensively, Sharpe has great timing on blocks, aided by his leaping skills and length. He has all the tools to be a force on that end of the floor, as his 7-foot wingspan should help him stay attached to his man and come up with deflections and steals.

Anfernee Simons averaged 22.6 points in 46 games last season, offering many of the same skill sets as Henderson and Sharpe. However, Simons could end up being dealt to a team in need of a scoring punch so that Portland can focus on developing Henderson and Sharpe and solidifying them as franchise cornerstones.

Avdija is a solid finisher on drives to the rim, given his quick first step, sweet touch, body control, ability to attack closeouts, and absorb contact. He can also hit the 3-pointer, rebound, and make plays for his teammates. Defensively, he can also smother his opponent on the ball, stick with them on drives to the rim, stand his ground, and close out on shooters.

Clingan was a dominant rim protector for UConn during their back-to-back championship run and excelled in pick-and-roll actions. He also has a soft touch near the rim and decent footwork. However, health and stamina are concerns, so don’t expect his impact to be immediate.

The Trail Blazers have some talented players on their roster, but a lot of them are still young and raw, so it will take a while for them to live up to their fullest potential.

This season will be all about developing talent and hoping they end up with either Cooper Flagg or Ace Bailey in a loaded draft class.