The Portland Trail Blazers are set to trim their roster before the new NBA season, with three players on non-guaranteed deals fighting for their spots. This comes after the team closed the 2025-26 campaign with a 114-95 defeat to the San Antonio Spurs on April 29, 2026, part of a difficult recent run where they lost three straight games.
Which players are on the bubble?
Portland currently has a full 15-man roster, but not all contracts are secure. Vit Krejci, Moses Brown, and Ibou Badji are entering the season with non-guaranteed deals, making them prime candidates for potential moves. General Manager Joe Cronin will need to evaluate their fit and performance against the team's financial flexibility and long-term plans. These decisions are a standard part of NBA offseason roster management.
Krejci arrived in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks earlier this year, sent over for center Duop Reath. His contract has $250,000 guaranteed out of a base salary of $2,667,944. The 6-foot-8 guard showed some flashes but will need a strong training camp to secure his place. His ability to handle the ball and shoot from the perimeter could be valuable for backcourt depth.
Why are these moves necessary?
Managing the salary cap and creating roster flexibility is essential for any NBA team, especially one in a transitional phase. Carrying three non-guaranteed contracts gives the Blazers options. They can keep a player who impresses, use the spot to sign another free agent, or help a trade. It's a strategic tool for Cronin to keep all avenues open as the season approaches.
The team's 1-4 record in its final five games, including that season-ending loss to the Spurs, highlighted areas needing improvement. You can review the team's full schedule and results on our [fixtures](/fixtures) page. Roster spots are precious, and every player must contribute to turning around that form. The front office is likely looking for players who can provide immediate defensive help or consistent shooting.
What comes next for the Blazers?
The focus now shifts to training camp and the preseason. Performance in those settings will be the final audition for Krejci, Brown, and Badji. Coach Chauncey Billups will have a major say in which players fit his system and rotation plans. The team needs to build cohesion and identify its core rotation players well before opening night.
While major outside free agent signings appear unlikely, internal competition will be fierce. These roster decisions, while often overlooked, shape a team's identity and depth. The Blazers will want to finalize their 15-man group with players fully committed to the rebuild. Fans can track the evolving roster and player stats on our [squad](/squad) and [stats](/stats) pages as decisions are made.
