Can it get worse for Portland?

A new day has dawned in the West.

Chris Paul is a Clipper. The Lakers and Kobe Bryant, once kings of the conference, have Father Time looming over them and are no longer the clear-cut favorites. The Grizzlies and Thunder now appear poised to contend for the seeable future. This is on top of those two teams in Dallas and San Antonio.

So where does that leave the Blazers? There's change afoot in Portland, too. They've experienced roster upheaval usually reserved for a veteran team after a championship run. And yet, Brandon Roy, the team's franchise player, has retired due to chronic knee problems at the tender age of 27. Center Greg Oden has spent almost as much time on the court as he has the disabled list, and he's just 23. Forward LaMarcus Aldridge has heart problems that required surgery, and he's just 26.

And for the third time in three seasons, a new GM will preside in the front office. For now, the acting GM is Chad Buchanan.

But the team isn't so bad that it needs to blow things up. So where do they go from here? Rebuild or try to contend? Here's a look:

To read more about what the reeling Portland Trail Blazers must do in the wake of injuries and retirement, become an ESPN Insider today.

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Ryan Corazza

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