On this, the first 2023 edition of the Brief Case, Casey Holdahl discusses...

• The impending debut of Gary Payton II, who is expected to play in Monday night's game versus the Pistons

• Where the Trail Blazers are at in the standings and in offensive/defensive rating at the start of the new year

• Heading out on one more road trip before the team spends most of January at home

• Josh Hart's thoughts on Portland's first 35 games and why he's not satisfied with being in eighth-place