Vít Krejčí Joins Trail Blazers, Brings Versatility and Grit to Portland
The Portland Trail Blazers will have a new face in uniform Tuesday night at the Moda Center - and while Vít Krejčí may be new to Rip City, he’s no stranger to grinding his way through the NBA.
Fresh off a trade from the Atlanta Hawks, Krejčí will suit up in No. 27 and come off the bench against the Phoenix Suns. His arrival in Portland was anything but smooth - a couple of canceled flights and a night stranded in Miami meant his first 48 hours as a Blazer were more about travel logistics than basketball. But by Monday, he was in town, cleared his physical, met his new teammates, and jumped straight into learning the Blazers’ system.
Just 90 minutes before tipoff, Krejčí met with local reporters and gave a glimpse into his mindset - one shaped by perseverance, growth, and a deep love for the game.
A Journey Built on Resilience
Krejčí’s NBA path hasn’t been easy. Drafted while recovering from a torn ACL, he started his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder and spent time in the G League before working his way up to a standard NBA contract. Along the way, he’s been waived, signed to two-ways, and battled through the uncertainty that comes with trying to find your place in the league.
“There’s been a lot of ups and downs,” Krejčí said. “But I’m grateful for the journey. I learned a lot during this stretch, and hopefully there’s a lot more lessons and years left.”
That kind of perspective doesn’t come without support. Krejčí credits his family - especially during that challenging rookie year - for helping him stay locked in mentally and physically. While recovering from injury, he leaned on them to keep his confidence up and stay focused on improving his game.
“Obviously I love the game of basketball,” he said. “That’s what kept me in it.”
From Flaw to Strength: The Evolution of a Shooter
When Krejčí first came into the league, shooting wasn’t exactly his calling card. In fact, he admitted it was a weakness. But he didn’t shy away from the challenge - he attacked it with purpose.
“I was always the guy that tried to shoot every day - like a thousand shots,” he said. “But what I changed the last couple years, instead of shooting a thousand shots, I shot 300 shots, but made them game-like.”
That shift in training - focusing on quality over quantity - paid off. By simulating real-game scenarios in his shooting reps, Krejčí built up both his mechanics and his confidence. Now, he’s a legitimate threat from deep, and that’s opened up the rest of his game.
“When people close out harder now, it opens up driving lanes,” he explained. “And from there, I can get to the rim or find open shooters. Everything works together.”
Fitting into Portland’s System
While Krejčí hasn’t had detailed conversations yet about his exact role with the Blazers, he’s been absorbing as much as he can - from offensive sets to defensive principles - since the moment he landed. He knows it’ll take a few days to fully settle in, but the early vibe has been positive.
“Everybody’s trying to make it as smooth as possible,” he said. “I’m excited to get to know how this team plays and understand what my role is.”
Krejčí sees this roster as a great fit - a group that plays hard, defends with intensity, and has plenty of drivers who can collapse defenses and create open looks. For a developing shooter like him, that’s an ideal environment.
“As a shooter, you love playing with guys like that,” he said. “They keep slashing, they keep going at the rim, and that opens up shots.”
Familiar Faces and a Touch of Czech
While Krejčí is still getting to know his new teammates, there are some familiar connections. He’s crossed paths with several players and coaches over the years, including one coach who spent time coaching in the Czech Republic and speaks more than just the usual basketball phrases in Czech - “even more than just the bad words,” Krejčí joked.
He also has a long-standing connection with Deni Avdija, a fellow European standout who’s made waves this season by earning an All-Star nod. The two go way back to youth competitions and European camps.
“I’ve known Deni for a very long time,” Krejčí said. “I’m super happy for him. He’s an unbelievable player.”
And while Avdija may not be in Portland, Krejčí sees similarities in the Blazers’ roster - players who play hard, defend relentlessly, and create opportunities for teammates. That’s the kind of culture he’s excited to be part of.
Early Impressions and the Road Ahead
Despite the whirlwind travel and lack of sleep - “I slept like two hours,” he said - Krejčí was upbeat about his debut. He spent the morning going over plays, learning terminology, and getting a feel for the team’s identity.
“The message from the coaches was just play with confidence, play freely, and go out there and have fun and compete,” he said.
And he’s already tapped into one of Portland’s most trusted voices for advice: CJ McCollum. The former Blazer reached out to help with the transition and offered to hop on a call to share insights about the city and the organization. It’s a small gesture, but one that speaks volumes about the Blazers’ culture - and Krejčí’s willingness to embrace it.
There’s still a lot to learn, and the adjustment won’t happen overnight. But Krejčí brings a blend of humility, work ethic, and skill development that fits right into what Portland is building. He’s not just here to fill a roster spot - he’s here to contribute.
And if his journey so far is any indication, he’ll do just that.