Trail Blazers to name Braiden Bell as new play-by-play announcer

The Portland Trail Blazers have officially announced the hiring of Braiden Bell as the team's new television play-by-play broadcaster. Bell is transitioning into this NBA role after serving as a voice for the Phoenix Mercury and the Valley Suns. The move marks a significant shift in the Blazers' broadcast booth as the organization secures its primary voice for televised games. Coverage of the appointment is widespread, with official confirmation provided by NBA.com and the team-centric outlet Blazer's Edge. Regional news organizations in Oregon, including KATU, KGW, and OregonLive.com, have all reported the hiring.

Meanwhile, outlets based in Arizona, such as azcentral.com and Yahoo Sports, have focused their reporting on the departure of Bell from his previous positions with the Phoenix Mercury and the Valley Suns, noting the loss of his voice to the NBA job in Portland. Contextual reports from Yahoo Sports indicate that the Trail Blazers were closing in on a replacement for Kevin Calabro. This search followed what was described as a 'subprime' offer. The acquisition of Braiden Bell resolves this vacancy in the broadcast booth. The transition is particularly notable given Bell's previous ties to the Phoenix basketball scene, where he had been established as a broadcaster for both the WNBA's Mercury and the Valley Suns before accepting the position with the Trail Blazers.

Future developments will likely center on Bell's integration into the Portland market and his first official broadcasts for the team. While the hire is finalized, coverage does not yet specify the exact duration of his contract or the specific start date of his first game. Observers will be watching how the Trail Blazers' television presentation evolves following the departure of Kevin Calabro and the arrival of Bell as the primary play-by-play announcer.