​When the Portland Trail Blazers pulled off a trade for Ja Morant, they landed a player whose upside resembles an All-Star and whose playmaking has been on full display during his time with the Memphis Grizzlies. The catch is that Portland already has a crowded backcourt, with multiple guards who can wield the ball in their hands. In addition to the core from last season—Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe, and Scoot Henderson—the Blazers are adding Morant while Damian Lillard is poised to rejoin the lineup in 2026-27 after missing time due to a torn Achilles suffered at the end of the 2024-25 season. With Morant in the mix, first-year head coach Micah Nori faces a set of delicate decisions about how to deploy five guards who can all operate with the ball.
Nori spoke with SiriusXM NBA Radio and expressed confidence that each player would see minutes and that, if necessary, he would “take people at their word.” The comments trace back to Morant’s remarks to The Athletic, in which he indicated that he didn’t care whether he starts or comes off the bench. “Well, I don’t know. The other thing is I take people at their word. So, my thing is, you can say it, and if it has to come to it, well, you said you didn’t care, number one,” Nori said. “But the second thing is I really believe, guys like Ja, guys like Dame, guys like Jrue that have been through it, been around, they want to win, and winning is the most important thing. And if you can put yourself [in position] to do that, whether it’s coming off the bench or starting, as long as you get your minutes and I’d never say it’s easy, but to your point, we’ve got four spots, one through four, they may be small … they’re gonna get their minutes.”
From Nori’s remarks, it’s clear that virtually every option is on the table as the Blazers prepare for the upcoming season. It would be a surprise if Morant starts the season coming off the bench, but with two veteran presences in Lillard and Holiday—Holiday alone started 51 of 53 regular-season games last year—the opening-night lineup remains a fluid question. The dynamics of five guards who can all handle the ball raise the prospect of unconventional lineups and distribution of minutes, especially given the high expectations for Morant’s impact and the need to balance playing time among the other established contributors.
The question the Blazers must answer is how to maximize a group that blends Morant’s dynamic burst and playmaking with Lillard’s proven leadership, Holiday’s steady two-way presence, and the rising talents of Sharpe and Henderson. It will hinge on how Nori navigates the potential overlap in ball-handling duties, who defers to whom in late-game situations, and how each player can contribute within the team’s defensive schemes. If Portland can craft a cohesive plan that leverages Morant’s creative instincts while preserving Lillard’s scoring gravity and Holiday’s defensive versatility, the Blazers could unlock a potent, versatile backcourt that challenges conventional lineup expectations.
Ultimately, the 2026-27 season looms as a proving ground for Portland’s philosophy: five guards who can drive an offense, share responsibilities, and pursue victory in a system that prioritizes winning. Morant’s arrival unquestionably adds a star-power dimension, but the road to sustained success will depend on how well Nori’s coaching approach translates to minutes, roles, and on-court chemistry across the rotation. The era of five ball-handlers on a single roster presents a unique test, and the Blazers are intent on finding the right balance as they navigate this high-stakes, high-upside transition. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Blazers coach Micah Nori addresses Ja Morant bench rumor after blockbuster trade for better SEO.