27. Portland Trail Blazers

Damian Lillard is an absolute stud. He’s a proven postseason performer who thrives in big moments, can shoot with the best of the best and does just about everything there is to do as a scorer.

Unfortunately for Lillard, the cast of players around him drags Portland all the way down to No. 29.

The Trail Blazers have lost four of their five starters from a season ago. LaMarcus Aldridge signed with the San Antonio Spurs, Nicolas Batum was traded to the Charlotte Hornets, Robin Lopez joined the New York Knicks and Wesley Matthews is now with the Dallas Mavericks.

Even Arron Afflalo, who started in Matthews’ place, left to sign with the Knicks.

Replacing those four high-caliber players is an eclectic group of promising role players being asked to do more than they’ve proven capable. The likes of Al-Farouq Aminu, Ed Davis, Gerald Henderson, Meyers Leonard, C.J. McCollum and Mason Plumlee could all end up starting at some point.

Portland could surprise some people given Lillard’s presence and the depth surrounding him, but this is a rough on-paper starting lineup.