On Wednesday night, the Portland Trail Blazers open the 2024-25 season, which is likely to end with them once again landing in the NBA draft lottery, but there are potential developments that would still make this season successful, even though racking up wins is unlikely.

Since Joe Cronin became the general manager during the 2021-22 season, the Trail Blazers have added six players through the draft.

Cronin selected Shaedon Sharpe and Jabari Walker in 2022; Scoot Henderson, Kris Murray, and Rayan Rupert in 2023; and Donovan Clingan last June.

He also added forward/guard Toumani Camara, a second-round pick to Phoenix in 2023, via trade, and that year also took a shot on free agent center Duop Reath, who earned a two-year contract.

The Blazers certainly need their lottery picks to thrive. However, having one or two others develop into rotational players would greatly boost the rebuild.

Lottery picks Sharpe, 21, and Henderson, 20, are the most talented in the group but have yet to prove their potential star status. Henderson, selected No. 3 overall in 2023, could start the season as a backup, while Sharpe, chosen at No. 7 in 2022, is coming off of missing 50 games because of an injury last season. He also will begin this season on the injured list, potentially until mid-November.

Those two, along with Clingan, the No. 7 pick in June, will receive ample time to develop, given their potential, youth and draft status.

The others must display their wares sooner rather than later or would find themselves competing with future high draft picks and mid-tier free agents for roster spots.

The player who appears most ready to thrive now is Camara, who started during Friday’s 124-86 win over the Utah Jazz to close the preseason.

By all accounts, Camara, 24, made huge jump from last season when he started 49 games in 70 appearances. The franchise is excited about his defensive prowess and believes his offense will come around. He shot 40% from 3-point range during the preseason.

Ideally, the Blazers will also discover something more in Walker, Murray and Rupert.

All three spent the offseason working on their offense and showed promise during the preseason. Rupert, 20, shot 48.3% from the field but struggled from long distance (14.3%). Murray, 24, shot 53.6% from the field and hit 38.5% of his 3-pointers. The 22-year-old Walker, in two games, shot 53.8% from the field and made 3 of 4 3s.

Blazers coach Chauncey Billups has told the team that earning minutes is up to them. Nobody will receive playing time based on draft status.

The first sign of that being true is Camara starting in the backcourt, which could continue even when Sharpe returns from his shoulder injury.

Again, that will depend on how well Camara plays.

Reath, as a 3-point shooting big, has a niche role but faces an uphill climb finding playing time behind starter Deandre Ayton, Clingan, and Robert Williams III.

Speaking of Clingan, 20, he looked solid during the preseason, peaking with 14 points and 20 rebounds in 24 minutes against the Jazz.

Clingan already appears to be ahead of the curve and faces a rookie season in which he will be afforded grace to develop behind proven veteran players.

The Blazers will likely always face challenges attracting marquee free agents to Portland. Therefore, they must uncover gems through the draft, even with later picks.

Camara, Murray, Walker and Rupert played a lot last season but didn’t make a huge impact.

Now, the Blazers need a couple to elevate their play and establish themselves as valuable pieces moving forward.