Blazers Shift Younger In Wake Of Aldridge Departure

By Rob Manning (OPB)
Portland, Oregon July 10, 2015 1:30 a.m.

Portland Trail Blazers officials committed to a youth movement for the team, which is a contrast to recent years, when the team focused on experienced players to reach the NBA Playoffs.

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Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard.

Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard.

Alan Sylvestre / OPB

That change is the result of the Blazers losing All-Star forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who signed with the San Antonio Spurs Thursday. General Manager Neil Olshey said the team's focus has shifted from building around Aldridge for the past nine years to 24-year-old Damian Lillard.

"We kept bringing in veteran guys to complement LaMarcus, because that was the path we were on," said Olshey. "Well, if the path we're on, if our best player is Damian Lillard — and it's a hell of a place to start with a guy like that — then we're going to bring in guys to complement him."

Olshey has added a handful of players, in recent weeks, either as free agents or by trade. They're mostly in their early 20s.

Olshey said the team has flexibility to make trades or sign players before the beginning of the season.

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