NBA Notes: Blazers, Shaedon Sharpe, Mavericks, Tarik Biberovic, Thunder

Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers certainly didn’t want clarity in their crowded backcourt to arrive this way.

Shaedon Sharpe is expected to miss at least six months after suffering a torn meniscus, leaving Portland without the 23-year-old guard for most of the 2026-27 season.

Jeremy Brener of NBA on SI noted that Sharpe’s absence does at least simplify what had become a rather complicated guard rotation.

Portland added Ja Morant and is getting Damian Lillard back after he missed last season recovering from a torn Achilles. Jrue Holiday and Scoot Henderson are also still around.

That presumably leaves Lillard and Morant as the starting backcourt, with Holiday and Henderson handling the primary reserve minutes.

Sharpe’s eventual return could create another juggling act for new coach Micah Nori, but that’s a problem Portland would gladly take.

Mavericks

Klay Thompson‘s departure from Dallas could mean an immediate opportunity for newcomer Tarik Biberovic.

Thompson agreed to a buyout with the Mavericks before joining the Heat, opening minutes on a Dallas team that wasn’t exactly overflowing with perimeter shooting to begin with.

Austin Veazey of NBA on SI identified Biberovic as one player who could benefit.

Dallas acquired Biberovic’s draft rights from the Grizzlies in the Santi Aldama trade and signed him to a two-year, $6 million contract. The 56th overall pick in 2023 remained overseas after being drafted and developed into one of Europe’s better shooters with Fenerbahce.

Max Christie figures to remain the starter, and Zaccharie Risacher can also see time at shooting guard.

Still, shooting tends to find its way onto the floor. If Biberovic can bring his 40-plus percent perimeter touch from Europe to the NBA, Thompson’s departure may have created an opening for him to do just that.

Thunder

The Thunder have finished first in the Western Conference three straight seasons. Getting there a fourth time might be a little more complicated.

Ivan White of NBA on SI pointed to the suddenly loaded Northwest Division as one potential obstacle for Oklahoma City.

Denver and Minnesota already have been regular threats, with the three teams accounting for nine of the division’s 10 playoff appearances over the past three seasons.

Now Portland is coming off a playoff appearance and has added Morant while getting Lillard back. Utah has added Jaren Jackson Jr. and highly regarded rookie Darryn Peterson to its young core.

That means nearly 20 percent of Oklahoma City’s schedule will come against Denver, Minnesota, Portland and Utah.

None of this suddenly makes the Thunder anything less than one of the favorites in the West. They’ve earned the benefit of considerably more doubt than that.

But easy nights inside the division? There may not be many of those anymore.