NBA Notes: Clippers, Darius Garland, Blazers, Jazz, Ace Bailey

Clippers

Clippers point guard Darius Garland says he’s finally healthy again after a toe injury wrecked much of last season.

Garland told Cyro Asseo of HoopsHype that the injury initially began as a bone bruise after repeatedly stubbing his toe inside his shoe. He attempted to play through it, eventually suffered ligament damage and underwent reconstructive surgery.

“It was pretty tough just out there playing with nine toes for like half a year,” Garland said.

Garland missed 37 games last season and said that even after the toe began feeling better, getting completely comfortable again took some time. Now, after a full offseason at 100 percent, he says he’s feeling like himself again.

He also discussed the February trade that sent him from Cleveland to the Clippers after more than seven years with the Cavaliers.

“I’ve been here for seven, seven and a half years, and now just to up and pack my bags like that, it was just like, dang,” Garland said.

At least the logistics were easy. Cleveland happened to be in Los Angeles on a road trip when the trade went down.

Garland also sounds excited about playing for Tyronn Lue. He told Lue that he remembers watching how the former Cavs coach used Kyrie Irving during the 2016 championship run and would like to incorporate some of that into his own game.

“I’m super excited to get back over there in L.A. and just be with the team,” Garland said.

Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers made the playoffs last season for the first time since 2021. Somehow, that’s barely been the story of their summer.

New owner Tom Dundon’s cost-cutting measures, changes to the broadcast operation and arena issues have generated plenty of attention. ESPN’s Ben Golliver noted that Dundon hasn’t exactly seemed concerned about winning the offseason press conference.

The basketball side is pretty interesting, too.

Portland acquired Ja Morant from Memphis for Jerami Grant and Kris Murray, extended Robert Williams III and welcomed Damian Lillard back after an Achilles injury wiped out his entire 2025-26 season.

ESPN’s Zach Kram gave Portland’s offseason a B-minus, with one obvious question hanging over everything: Who gets the ball?

Lillard and Morant are joined by Scoot Henderson and Jrue Holiday in a ridiculously crowded backcourt. Deni Avdija also did some of his best work last season with the ball in his hands.

That’s a lot of mouths and only one basketball.

Henderson may be the most interesting name to watch. He’s entering the final season before restricted free agency and already transitioned into more of an off-ball role last year. With Morant now around, he’ll have to establish exactly where he fits.

ESPN’s Basketball Power Index has Portland 13th, while its post-free-agency power rankings placed the Blazers 18th.

So there’s talent here. There’s also a heck of a puzzle for new coach Micah Nori to solve.

Jazz

The Jazz finally received some lottery luck, landed the No. 2 overall pick and used it on Kansas guard Darryn Peterson.

That wasn’t their only significant move.

Utah sent Walker Kessler to the Lakers in a sign-and-trade that brought back unprotected first-round picks in 2031 and 2033, plus first-round swaps in 2028 and 2030. Kessler received a four-year, $130 million contract from Los Angeles.

Kram gave Utah an A for the move, calling it one of the better deals of the offseason.

The Jazz also have Jaren Jackson Jr., acquired at last season’s trade deadline, and re-signed Jusuf Nurkic while adding Jaxson Hayes and Josh Okogie.

That leaves a potential starting five of Keyonte George, Peterson, Lauri Markkanen, Jackson and Nurkic. For a team coming off a 22-60 season, that’s a considerably more interesting group.

Golliver cautioned against immediately handing Peterson the keys to the offense. His summer-league performance suggested he’s not ready to function as a full-time NBA point guard, so keeping George as the primary initiator could allow Peterson to concentrate on what he does best: score and create.

Another name to watch is Ace Bailey. The former No. 5 pick averaged 13.8 points as a rookie and is still just 20 years old, but the Jazz are reaching the point where their young players will have to earn minutes rather than simply receive them.

Utah still needs a longer-term answer at center after dealing Kessler. The good news? The Jazz now have plenty of draft ammunition to go find one.