What happened: Morant's first game action with Portland is now tied to the Oct. 21 opener against Phoenix after an offseason spent integrating with his new team. He surfaced with teammates at Summer League as the club put a public date on that debut.
Why it matters: The opener gives Portland a fixed target for Morant's offseason transition after the backcourt-reshaping move that sent him west. It also turns camp and preseason into a short runway for building timing before games start counting.
By the numbers: Portland opens training camp Sept. 29, leaving 22 days between the first full-team work and Morant's Oct. 21 debut.
What to watch: Watch for Morant's camp and preseason participation once training camp opens. Opening night against Phoenix is the next firm date on the calendar.