New ownership turmoil, brain drain in the scouting department, and a questionable blockbuster trade for Ja Morant spark a freefall for Portland in the latest league-wide evaluations.
The Portland Trail Blazer's front office took a significant tumble in CBS Sports' latest evaluation of how the NBA's 30 teams are run, landing 28th overall in Sam Quinn's front office rankings published this week.
The placement marks a sharp reversal for a Blazers organization that had been trending upward in Quinn's rankings, climbing from No. 25 to No. 19 by last year's trade deadline.
Quinn credited general manager Joe Cronin's acquisition of Deni Avdija in summer 2024 as a signature move — a decision that looked strong in hindsight and suggested an effort to build around defense and size.
It paid off, as Avdija had his best season last year, averaging 24.2 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.7 assists en route to his first All-Star nod.
The upward trajectory, according to CBS Sports, has since been derailed by the early tenure of new owner Tom Dundon and the offseason trade for Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant.
On Dundon, Quinn noted that while Dundon's Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup, the NHL and NBA operate under different infrastructural demands.
The report pointed to Portland's coaching search as an early sign, after Tiago Splitter had a successful interim run following Chauncy Billups indefinite suspension after his arrest in October 2025.
New head coach Micah Nori signed for salary at the bottom of the typical range, on what amounts to a year-to-year deal.
Quinn says the structure makes it harder for the Blazers to attract top assistants, scouts, and analytics staff going forward. The report also noted that two of Portland's three assistant general managers from a year ago, Mike Schmitz and Sergi Oliva, have since left the organization.
The Morant trade surprised many this summer. Quinn called the move nonsensical given that Portland already has Jrue Holiday, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe on the perimeter.
Sharpe's injury, however, could open up early rotation minutes that make the fit less crowded than Quinn's assessment suggests.
Morant has struggled with his outside shooting in recent years, and it could complicate floor spacing with Avdija. Portland ranked 28th in the NBA in three-point percentage last year. Quinn also noted that the timing complicates Portland's ability to create cap space to extend Avdija before he reaches free agency in 2028.
Only the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans ranked below Portland. The Los Angeles Lakers, dealing with their own ownership uncertainty following the Buss family's sale dispute, landed at No. 24.
Oklahoma City, Boston and Houston occupy the top three spots.
