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2 hours ago
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The Portland Trail Blazers’ issues with shooting have been well-documented over the last few years, and more question marks surround that category heading into this season following the departure of Anfernee Simons.
So, when ESPN’s Zach Kram selected one stat that could swing every NBA team’s 2025-26 season, one might think he’d jump at 3-point shooting as the low-hanging fruit for the Trail Blazers. Instead, Kram highlighted a less-discussed offensive issue in Portland that could cloud the shine of the team’s improved defense: turnovers.
Portland is a team on the rise after a strong finish to the 2024-25 season and a go-for-it summer that brought Jrue Holiday and Damian Lillard to Portland. With a frontcourt of Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan, the Trail Blazers could boast one of the best defenses in the league.
But will Portland score enough to push into the playoff picture? One underrated concern is Portland’s penchant for turnovers: The Trail Blazers coughed up the ball on 16% of their possessions this past season, which ranked 29th; for context, the other teams in the bottom five in turnover rate were the Jazz, Nets, Hornets and Wizards, arguably the four worst teams.
Kram explained that Simons’ departure could also spell more trouble for Portland in the turnover department. A lot will ride on Blazers third-year point guard Scoot Henderson, who has struggled with turnovers through his first two seasons.
Making matters potentially worse is that the Blazers traded Anfernee Simons, who had the best assist-to-turnover rate on the team. With Lillard unlikely to return this season, the Blazers will have to rely on Scoot Henderson to generate a lot of their offense. Out of 30 point guards with at least 1,000 minutes and an above-average usage rate this past season, Henderson ranked 29th in turnover rate, according to Stathead, ahead of only Russell Westbrook.
Alongside Henderson, Blazers forward Deni Avdija and guard Shaedon Sharpe also struggled taking care of the ball last season. Henderson, Avdija and Sharpe will be featured parts of Portland’s offense this season, and last season, they each posted per-36 minute turnover averages of 3.6, 3.3, and 2.4, respectively.
It’s not uncommon for young players and teams to struggle with turnovers. But if the Blazers are looking to make meaningful progress, as Kram points out, improving ball security should be a key step this season.
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