NBA SIMS LEAGUE
Week 13 marks a momentous occasion for the Portland Trailblazers franchise, even if it is just a spiritual one. The first steps of the new era.
This week, late February in 2026, marks the first week of NSL action since early-2024 that the Portland Trailblazers are looking ahead, seeking to find wins, team growth and ultimately, to compete for championships (again).
For two years, the prize hasn't been collecting wins - it has been collecting value. Portland did it often, and did it well. The Front Office dismantled a star-studded team in the hopes of rediscovering the love of the game and recouping value, at the risk of perhaps never being as good again, as we were at that time. That mission was accomplished, and the value has been exchanged into what is the current Portland roster. The portfolio looks great, no doubt about that. But that isn't what wins games, or titles, and this season chemistry and veteran brains and brawn seems to matter as much as it ever has.
The team was able to secure two superstar players in Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards. The cost was high, but the team's ceiling is higher if it all fits together. Having superstars is critical to true contention. They are both not even in their primes yet, which is so exciting, but also means they may lack in 2k impact compared to the Giannis' and Durants. Also, they play the same position, which might not maximise the fit. Still, the team is thrilled to have players of such calibre.
Lottery balls bounced Portland's way in 2025, resulting in the privilege of drafting Cooper Flagg. Flagg will be a surefire superstar in the league one day and the Blazers are so lucky to have him, but his surprising rookie play was ultimately the catalyst for Portland pushing in their chips and trying to build a team 'around him'. A bright future seemed plausible, even right away. Flagg still suffers from 2k immaturity, disappearing when the games are tough and being a scapegoat for missed shots so 2k can balance the ledger/algorithm. Anthony Black, the longest tenured Blazer, has experienced a Year 3 breakout and has a role to play on a great team.
With two superstars and capable rookies, the rest of the roster is about fit and complementary skillsets. Making up for the lack of size in our superstars, and the collective lack of 2k superstar vetting in Doncic and Edwards, the sidekicks had to be grizzled. They had to have clearly defined skillsets that provide a big impact. Alex Caruso was handpicked as the perfect guard to support Luka with his hounding defense. Daniel Gafford was sought after to be a rim-runner paint beast who was no fuss, minimal touches but big impact. Bobby Portis was identified as a perfect complement to not only Gafford but the star players. He can defend the paint and rebound but has a feathery shooting touch from outside, and has a toughness about him.
Most recently, a flurry of trades saw Jonas Valanciunas, Al Horford and Gary Harris acquired, providing a 10-man rotation that, on paper, is complementary, competitive, vetted and has upside.
Of course, this is all just words on paper. The only tale to tell is will the wins come, and if so, how many? If nothing else, Portland fans are thrilled to be nervous and excited again about their place in the league.