# Blazers Start Lineup Dilemma

> Portland Trail Blazers must decide whether Ja Morant starts or sits to balance defense and offense.
- Title: Blazers Start Lineup Dilemma · CBS Sports | Shortify
- Summary: Portland Trail Blazers must decide whether Ja Morant starts or sits to balance defense and offense. Portland Trail Blazers will likely start Ja Morant off…
- Keywords: portland trail blazers, ja morant, damian lillard, deni avdija, micah nori, nba, blazers starting lineup, sports, Blazers, Start, Lineup, Dilemma
- Source: CBS Sports — https://cbssports.com/nba/news/blazers-ja-morant-starting-lineup-dilemma-damian-lillard-deni-avdija
- Published: 2026-10-02T20:40:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: portland trail blazers, ja morant, damian lillard, deni avdija, micah nori, nba, blazers starting lineup, sports
## NBA teams often make decisions based on locker room dynamics
NBA teams frequently make decisions based on locker room dynamics rather than pure basketball merit, affecting player reputations and careers.
## Portland Trail Blazers trade for Ja Morant
Portland Trail Blazers traded for Ja Morant earlier this offseason after reacquiring Damian Lillard from a torn Achilles.
## Deni Avdija becomes All-Star
Deni Avdija grew into an All-Star as Portland's only reliable ball-handler last season.
## Lillard expects to start with Avdija and Morant
Lillard said he expects to start alongside Avdija and Morant this season at training camp.
## Coach Micah Nori unsure about starters
First-year coach Micah Nori does not yet know who will start and said Lillard and Morant starting together would make little sense.
## Avdija will start as youngest player
Avdija, the youngest and best player at the moment, will be starting for the Blazers.
## Morant should come off the bench
Morant should come off the bench to improve defense while maximizing his offensive impact with Lillard and Avdija.
## Lillard balances shot creation
Lillard's shooting and pick-and-roll skills help Avdija share the shot-creation burden while improving defense.
## Morant's poor shooting affects defense
Morant's poor shooting and defense make him less effective when sharing the ball with starters.
## Morant's value on team
Morant's value on the team is higher when he plays fewer minutes but does what he does best.
## Coach Nori faces challenges
First-year coach Micah Nori must balance player buy-in, salary concerns, and strategic decisions for the Blazers.
## Key takeaway

Portland Trail Blazers will likely start Ja Morant off the bench to improve defense while maximizing his offensive impact.