Portland also bought out starting center Deandre Ayton, who signed with the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent. The Trail Blazers still boast two movable veteran contracts in the deals of forward Jerami Grant and center Robert Williams, and could theoretically add younger players who better align with the club's timeline.

The Celtics were one of several teams linked to Damian Lillard before the point guard elected to sign with the Blazers this week. The three-year deal worth $42 million led to a surprise reunion in Portland two years after he requested a trade out of the northwest.