Category: Portland Trail Blazers Blog

The NBA has announced Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for the month of March. As part of his efforts, Simons provided scholarships to 24 students, supported mental health wellbeing and hosted holiday events in Portland and his home state of Florida. Simons will receive the David Robinson trophy, and the NBA will donate $10,000 to Be A Light, an organization that supports at-risk youth and young adults.

“One of the first things I thought about when I made it to the NBA was how I can make a direct impact in my community, specifically to the youth in the greater Portland area,” said Simons. “It’s extremely important for me to personally connect with the kids in the community and present opportunities for them to express themselves and become great. I am truly thankful to be in a position where I can offer creative outlets for tomorrow’s leaders.”

The Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a multi-year contract extension with General Manager Joe Cronin.

Cronin was originally named the General Manager on May 10, 2022 after serving in the role as interim since December 3, 2021.

“Joe has demonstrated leadership and vision during his time as General Manager, and I’m excited to see him continue building the foundation for a long-term, winning team,” said Jody Allen, chair of the Portland Trail Blazers. “We are all thrilled with the team’s forward momentum and excited for the future of Trail Blazers basketball.”

“I am honored that Jody and Bert have put their continued trust in me and thank them for believing in this opportunity to further our pursuit of building a winning team in Portland,” said Joe Cronin, Portland Trail Blazers General Manager. “My vision is to have a competitive roster with the potential for sustained success, while creating a culture that helps all our players, coaches and staff thrive. I couldn’t be more excited for what’s to come.”

Portland Trail Blazers center Robert Williams III recently underwent an arthroscopic procedure to address inflammation in his left knee.

Williams will miss 4-6 weeks.

Per the Oregonian, “The regular season ends on April 13. Williams would only play again this season if the Blazers reach the NBA playoffs. The Blazers are in contention for a Western Conference play-in berth. Williams has missed 11 of the team’s last 12 games with left knee soreness.”

The team says he is expected to make a full recovery.

The Portland Trail Blazers have announced plans for the special Bill Walton Tribute Night game on March 9 when the team takes on the Detroit Pistons. The game serves as a special night to celebrate the life and accomplishments of a truly beloved Trail Blazer, Bill Walton. Tickets are available for purchase at Trailblazers.com/walton and all in attendance are encouraged to wear tie-dye.

Walton will be honored throughout the night with in-game videos looking back on his historic Hall of Fame career and impact on and off the court.

Members of the Walton family will be in attendance and involved in various in-game moments, as well as Trail Blazers alumni, including members of the 1977 Championship team, that played alongside “Big Red”.

Fans attending the game will receive a special Bill Walton tie-dyed headband upon entering Moda Center.

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed forward Sidy Cissoko to a two-way contract.

In a subsequent move, the Trail Blazers have requested waivers on guard Taze Moore.

In 29 career starts, Cissoko has accrued career averages of 2.3 points (49.0% FG, 61.9% FT), 1.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists in 6.7 minutes per game for the San Antonio Spurs. The former G League Ignite product was drafted 44th overall by the Spurs in the 2023 NBA Draft has appeared in 59 career games (31 starts) in the G League, recording 14.6 points (46.1% FG, 64.4% FT), 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 steals in 29.2 minutes per game for Austin (2023-25) and the Ignite (2022-23).

Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan was evaluated today after he left Tuesday night’s game vs. Brooklyn. It has been determined to be a mild left ankle sprain.

Clingan will be re-evaluated in one week and updates will be given as appropriate.

The Portland Trail Blazers mourn the passing of former radio announcer Brian Wheeler, who passed away on Friday, November 8. Wheeler, better known as “Wheels” served as the radio voice of the Trail Blazers for 21 seasons from 1998-2019.

Wheels was raised in the Los Angeles area, spending his early years listening to sports broadcasting legends Vin Scully and Chick Hearn that would influence his future work. He attended Loyola University in Chicago, beginning his broadcasting career on campus before making it to the pros. His 35-year broadcasting career included stops with the Sacramento Kings & Monarchs, Seattle Sonics, and Chicago Bulls, before 21 seasons in Rip City.

Wheels was named Oregon Sportscaster of the Year in 2007, recognizing his impact on the state’s sports culture. His iconic trademark call of “BOOM-SHAKA-LAKA” is still widely used across the industry and a fan favorite to this day inside Moda Center. His love for the game and passion for the Trail Blazers came through in every radio call, making each play a thrill for every listener tuning in. As we mourn Wheels passing, we fondly remember his post-win declaration, “And once again we can say: It’s a great day to be a Blazer!”

The Portland Trail Blazers have exercised the 2025-26 team contract option on the Rookie Scale contracts of guards Shaedon Sharpe, Scoot Henderson, and forward Kris Murray.

Sharpe, the 7th overall pick of the 2022 NBA Draft by the Trail Blazers, posted 15.9 points (40.6% FG, 33.3% 3-PT, 82.4% FT), 5.0 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.9 steals in 33.1 minutes per game in 32 games (25 starts) during the 2023-24 season and earned a 2024 Rising Stars selection at All-Star weekend. The second-year guard holds career averages of 11.6 points (44.5% FG, 35.0% 3-PT, 77.2% FT), 3.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 0.6 steals and 25.3 minutes per game in 112 career games (40 starts) in two seasons with Portland.

During his rookie campaign, Henderson averaged 14.0 points (32.5% 3-PT, 81.9% FT), 3.1 rebounds, and 5.4 assists and 28.5 minutes per game in 62 games (32 starts) for the Trail Blazers and ranked amongst rookies first in assists per game (5.4), first in total assists (336), fifth in points per game (14.0) and sixth in total points (868).

In his first season out of Iowa, Murray accrued averages of 6.1 points (39.6% FG, 26.8% 3-PT, 66.1% FT), 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 0.9 steals and 21.7 minutes per game in 62 games (29 starts) in his rookie season.

The Portland Trail Blazers recently signed guard James Bouknight to an Exhibit-10 contract.

In three seasons with the Charlotte Hornets, Bouknight accrued career averages of 4.8 points (33.5% 3-PT, 76.2% FT), 1.7 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 11.4 minutes per game in 79 career games for the Hornets. During the 2023-24 season, the former 11th overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft shot a career-high 43.3% from three.