Damian Lillard Reveals Blazers Starting Lineup Plans Amid Role Debate After Ja Morant Trade

Damian Lillard weighed in on the Portland Trail Blazers' new starting lineup following the offseason addition of Ja Morant.

According to Jason Quick of The Athletic, Lillard said Tuesday that "as far as I know, Ja will start, I will start and Deni will start … that's as far as I know."

Lillard also revealed that he hasn't discussed Portland's lineup as well as his starting role with Trail Blazers head coach Micah Nori yet, per Quick.

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Portland acquired Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for forwards Jerami Grant and Kris Murray on June 29.

Morant previously spent seven years in Memphis, averaging 22.4 points and 7.4 assists per game while earning two All-Star nods during his tenure with the organization.

He started in 325 of his 327 games played on the Grizzlies.

Still, Morant has expressed a willingness to operate in a bench role with the Trail Blazers.

"I think winning is the most important thing for me," Morant told reporters on Monday. "So whatever role I have to play to get that done, I don't think anybody would be mad after a win. As a starter, if I'm starting, if I'm not, it's the same thing. It's day one right now, I feel like that's coach's questions, but for me I have no problem with either."

Morant and Lillard are both new additions to Portland's rotation, as the latter missed the entire 2025-26 season while recovering from a torn Achilles .

The Trail Blazers still finished with a 42-40 record and advanced to the playoffs led by Deni Avdija, who earned his first career All-Star nod. Jrue Holiday, Shaedon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson all started in Portland's backcourt throughout the year.

If Lillard and Morant start alongside Avdija, the Trail Blazers have two spots left in their opening lineup. Center Donovan Clingan is back in the mix, while defensive-minded forward Toumani Camara is coming off a 2025-26 campaign in which he started all 82 games.

Portland will open the 2026-27 regular season against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 21.