Deal is set to close March 31, 2026 but investment group hopes it can be sooner. Group also includes Portland resident and Oregon State alum. nytimes.com/athletic/66240…

From the "Elite Athlete Division" of his etiquette company, to a career in banking and a spot on his alma mater's Board of Trustees, Dennis Robertson is a singular NBA figure -- and one who doesn't even need a surname. Our profile on "Uncle Dennis" nytimes.com/athletic/66583…

More details on the claims made against one of the investors in the purchase of the Trail Blazers: nytimes.com/athletic/66595…

Scoot Henderson will be playing catch-up in his biggest NBA season to date after tearing his hamstring during a recent scrimmage at Blazers practice facility. He’ll miss at least the next month: nytimes.com/athletic/66659…

Some observations from Trail Blazers media day, led by the bubbly Yang Hansen. nytimes.com/athletic/66748…

Toumani Camara … man, this guy was already good last year, and tonight in the preseason opener, he looks like he’s WAY better than last season. On his way to becoming a household name around the NBA.

Over years have seen some great Blazers defenders (Pippen), big-time shot blockers (Ratliff), some amazing hustle players (Kersey, G. Wallace), but I don't know if I've seen a collection of defensive havoc like these Blazers. Camara, Blake Wesley (!!), Clingan, Thybulle, Jrue ...

Who is Damon Jones, the former NBA player charged with sharing LeBron injury secrets? ⁦Dan Woike⁩ ⁦Jason Lloyd⁩ and I go deep, ⁦The Athletic NBA⁩ nytimes.com/athletic/67479…

On Chauncey Billups, and the struggle to understand the coach I know and the person he is alleged to be. nytimes.com/athletic/67483…

Simply the best sportswriter in America. Another masterpiece from Brendan Quinn. nytimes.com/athletic/67556…

We rated the 30 NBA Cup courts and Portland came away with a lofty ranking nytimes.com/athletic/67602…

Resharing for the weekend long-readers. A little while back, I heard Matt Berninger, the frontman of The National, mention that he’d taken to writing lyrics on baseballs. It seemed worth looking into. And it was. Story: nytimes.com/athletic/67556…

“I have peace, but I don’t have my athletic peace.” On Spencer Haywood, and his last stand to be recognized. nytimes.com/athletic/67741…

Spencer Haywood paved the way for a generation of talent to enter the NBA, no matter their age or college standing. And yet, he still feels under-recognized for this accomplishment.

Today, Haywood is digging in for one final stand. He wants the NBA to recognize the struggle from his legal battle by proclaiming the outcome “the Spencer Haywood Rule.” Jason Quick with more ⤵️ nytimes.com/athletic/67741…

The Sonics History just hits different. Perhaps no current or historical NBA franchise has such a unique and complicated past. Jason Quick and Danny Ball discussed it in relation to Spencer Haywood and more in the new episode of Iconic Sonics.

Scoot Henderson says he still hasn’t done any running, jumping or explosion movement as his hamstring injury enters its 8th week. nytimes.com/athletic/68191…

NEW STORY: Joe Mazzulla’s recent comments about fun were fascinating. I sat down with him to unpack why he struggles with it, how he addresses that weakness, what gives him joy and fulfillment and how he builds a culture that reflects those ideals. nytimes.com/athletic/68251…

“I told these dudes: this is the time when you find your true identity …” How the voice and perspective of Damian Lillard is guiding these Blazers through a rough stretch. nytimes.com/athletic/68223…

Damian Lillard's 2019 series-clincher still resonates around the Blazers, but it offers a lesson they should heed among their struggles. He sat down with Jason Quick to reflect on his prolific past and why he still believes Portland’s best moments with him are yet to come.