Portland Trail Blazers head coach Micah Nori does not currently see a starting lineup featuring Ja Morant and Damian Lillard as a sensible option, according to Jason Quick of The Athletic.
Quick reported that Nori believes pairing Morant and Lillard in the starting lineup would create significant defensive concerns because both guards are undersized and have not been known for their defensive impact.
“Nori said that starting Morant and Lillard doesn’t make sense,” Quick reported. “Both are undersized, and both have never excelled on the defensive end.”
Instead, Nori could favor a lineup that includes Jrue Holiday alongside one of Morant or Lillard. Quick described that as the more analytically sound approach because Holiday provides greater size and an established defensive presence.
“The more analytically sound option would be to start Holiday — a bigger guard who is an exceptional defender — and have either Morant or Lillard come off the bench,” Quick reported.
The decision highlights one of Portland’s biggest questions heading into the 2026-27 season. The Blazers acquired Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies in a June 29 blockbuster that sent Jerami Grant and Kris Murray to Memphis, while Lillard is preparing for his return after missing the entire 2025-26 season following surgery on a torn left Achilles.
Morant averaged 19.5 points and 8.1 assists in 20 games for Memphis last season. His availability has been an issue in recent years, as he played 50 games in 2024-25 after appearing in only nine games in 2023-24.
The 27-year-old remains one of Portland’s primary offensive creators, having averaged 22.4 points and 7.4 assists over his seven NBA seasons. He reached his highest scoring average in 2021-22, when he posted 27.4 points, 6.7 assists and 5.7 rebounds while earning All-NBA Second Team honors.
Lillard, meanwhile, has been one of the NBA’s most productive scoring guards throughout his career. Before missing last season, he averaged 24.9 points and 7.1 assists for Milwaukee in 2024-25 while shooting 37.6% from three-point range and 92.1% from the free-throw line.
The veteran guard returned to Portland last summer on a three-year, $42 million contract after spending two seasons with the Bucks. At media day, Lillard said he had reached 195 pounds, the same weight he was listed at as a rookie, and described himself as regular with no restrictions.
Portland’s roster gives Nori several options in the backcourt. Shaedon Sharpe averaged 20.8 points in 50 games last season, while Scoot Henderson posted 14.2 points and 3.7 assists in 30 appearances. Holiday, meanwhile, averaged 16.3 points, 6.1 assists and 4.6 rebounds in 53 games.
