West Notes: Blazers, Jerami Grant, Grizzlies, Rockets, Tari Eason

Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers will roll with a new look when their season tips off Wednesday against the Timberwolves.

Per Sean Highkin of The Rose Garden Report, Portland’s starting five will feature Jrue Holiday and Shaedon Sharpe in the backcourt, with Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija at forward, and Donovan Clingan in the middle.

That means Jerami Grant is headed to the bench — something he hasn’t done since the 2019–20 season with Denver.

Grant has started every one of his 164 games as a Blazer, averaging 18.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game since arriving from Detroit in 2022.

Grant, 31, is Portland’s second-highest-paid player and is under contract through at least 2027, but younger wings have passed him by.

Both Camara and Avdija are signed long-term, and the Blazers see them as foundational pieces.

At media day, Grant said he “didn’t really expect” to come off the bench but added he’d be “fine” if that’s what’s best for the team.

It’s a diplomatic answer — though one worth monitoring as the season unfolds, especially if the Blazers explore trade options for their veteran forward.

Grant still has three years and $102 million left on his deal and is coming off an injury-limited season that kept him to just 47 games.

Grizzlies

The Grizzlies officially exercised their 2026–27 option on Zach Edey, locking in the third year of his rookie deal at $6.33 million.

Edey averaged 9.2 points and 8.3 rebounds in 66 games last season before undergoing ankle surgery in June.

Memphis also announced that guard Scotty Pippen Jr. had surgery on his left big toe and will be sidelined for at least 12 weeks. Pippen emerged as a reliable rotation piece last year, averaging 9.9 points and 4.4 assists across 79 games.

The injury list is a familiar headache for Memphis. Edey and Brandon Clarke are still recovering from surgeries, while Ja Morant continues to nurse an ankle sprain that could push into opening week. The team remains optimistic he’ll return soon.

Jaren Jackson Jr. appears ready after dealing with a turf toe injury, but depth is again a concern.

Ty Jerome is out with a calf strain, leaving Cam Spencer and two-way rookie Javon Small as next in line for minutes in the backcourt.

Rockets

After extension talks fell apart before Monday’s deadline, forward Tari Eason made it clear he still wants to stay in Houston long-term, via Danielle Lerner of The Houston Chronicle

“Houston’s been like home and family to me since day one,” he said.

Eason was one of several players who seemed primed for a deal after the Rockets extended Kevin Durant over the weekend, but the two sides couldn’t close the gap.

Instead, the 23-year-old will play out the year and hit restricted free agency next summer.

“It’s business. It’s nothing personal,” Eason said. “I’m here to win a championship with Houston. That’s my main focus.”

The Rockets still view Eason as a core piece alongside Durant, Alperen Sengun, and Jabari Smith Jr. If he takes another step this season, he’ll be in line for a much larger payday next summer.