2025 Off-Season Strategy - What will Cronin do?

[zzaj]

I've now heard Mike Richmond, Raphael Barlow and my buddy who runs stats for the Blazers all say the same thing: that the "feeling" around the Blazers FO is that they are going to extend Simons this summer and it's not going to be for an amount that any of us are going to like.

Please don't tell me your the guy who projected the Deni trade.

If the Blazers resign Simons, I think I'll be done with basketball.

Goldbum

Yeah, sure wasn't me...

[JRoy]

He’s been scarce since then. Hope he is ok.

[tester551]

Someone posted this terrible trade idea. Ayton, Thybulle, and 3 first round picks for Markkanen.

I do however, think Markkanen is an interesting idea, if we offload Grants contract, and give up maybe 1 pick (not 3).

Lauri is on a max contract that extends through 28-29, and hasn't been anywhere close to a max player the past 2 years. But He's better than Jerami Grant, and I think could perhaps return to his all star form on a better team.

I don't know how eager the Jazz are to get Lauri off their books. But Grant's contract is 12 mil cheaper per year and expires a year sooner.

Read on Twitter

Lauri has a top10 worst contract in the league (but so is Grant).

Why pay 140% of Grants contact for being 10% better player?
Id stay far away from Lauri

[PDXKnight]

Someone posted this terrible trade idea. Ayton, Thybulle, and 3 first round picks for Markkanen.

I do however, think Markkanen is an interesting idea, if we offload Grants contract, and give up maybe 1 pick (not 3).

Lauri is on a max contract that extends through 28-29, and hasn't been anywhere close to a max player the past 2 years. But He's better than Jerami Grant, and I think could perhaps return to his all star form on a better team.

I don't know how eager the Jazz are to get Lauri off their books. But Grant's contract is 12 mil cheaper per year and expires a year sooner.

Read on Twitter

How old is Lauri again? I do like him as a player and I’m more comfortable cashing out those picks than holding them. 2029 and 2031 are a long ways out, bucks can be good by them, so use the picks while they still have that theoretic value.

He's turning 28 next week. I'd like to get him as long as Grant is the one exiting.

For 3 1sts he can stay in utah

[PDXKnight]

He’s been scarce since then. Hope he is ok.

Maybe he's joe Cronin?

[Sinobas]

Why pay 140% of Grants contact for being 10% better player?
Id stay far away from Lauri

I think he's more than 10% better than Grant. Grant plays like a SG. Lauri is a a legit 7 footer with plus athleticism and he's 3 years younger than Grant.

He had a down shooting year last year, but historically has been a good shooter. Even with Lauri's down shooting year his TS% was 5 points better than Grant.

[PDXKnight]

Why pay 140% of Grants contact for being 10% better player?
Id stay far away from Lauri

I think he's more than 10% better than Grant. Grant plays like a SG. Lauri is a a legit 7 footer with plus athleticism and he's 3 years younger than Grant.

He had a down shooting year last year, but historically has been a good shooter. Even with Lauri's down shooting year his TS% was 5 points better than Grant.

3 firsts is an overpay imo especially with his new contract. Small market teams that trade away firsts are playing with fire so you'd better know it's gonna make you a contender and this does not do that to me

[Wizenheimer]

I didn't see that Markkanen trade when it was first posted

so, an 11th pick and both of the remaining 2029 1st's, unprotected, plus a 35M expiring contract, plus Thybulle...all for Markkanen and his albatross contract

yeah, Sam Quinn can pound an acre of sand with his forehead. That's fuggin idiotic

[Walton1one]

Sounds about right what UTA “ask” is for Markkanen

No thank you, I would not trade (2) 1st’s for Lauri, and having his contract and Grant’s would be less than ideal for POR future

It will be interesting to watch what Cronin does given POR is for sale, can’t imagine any big moves unless they are no brainers and Cronin seems adverse to making deals anyway

Which is why he probably either lets Simons go into next year without a deal OR he signs him to a 3 year extension, just keep kicking the can down the road, it is what he is best at

I can’t tell if this is Joe’s preference or he is circumvented by Bert’s desires, is he free to do what he wants now that he has a new deal & the team is for sale? Will be interesting to watch.

How any GM thinks you can win meaningful games with Simons starting in your backcourt should be disqualifying to have that position

[dckingsfan]

I didn't see that Markkanen trade when it was first posted

so, an 11th pick and both of the remaining 2029 1st's, unprotected, plus a 35M expiring contract, plus Thybulle...all for Markkanen and his albatross contract

yeah, Sam Quinn can pound an acre of sand with his forehead. That's fuggin idiotic

Yep, especially for a player that just had a pretty poor year. Camara and Avdija (Clingan will be there soon) are already much better and are improving. You need your draft assets to build around your good players.

Also, Markkanen isn't really known for his defense - doesn't really fit well here. No Danny - no deal.

Grant and Williams for Markkanen straight up - fine. Why Utah? Grant's deal is one year shorter, Williams is expiring. Why Portland (a big maybe) is that you slide Camara over to SG and then Camara, Avdija, Markkanen alongside Scoot and Clingan. I would try to resign Thybulle and TRY HARD to move and not resign Simons, Sharpe and Ayton.

But the better move is to do nothing and not resign those three.

[Case2012]

I’d imagine they waited to announce the sale until after the draft lottery. Landing a top-3 pick would’ve instantly boosted the team’s value way more than 14 meaningless late-season wins ever could. Which makes it even more baffling that they pushed so hard to win games when it was already clear they weren’t making the play-in. What was the endgame there? Just to hand out extensions that Jody Allen was never going to pay anyway? Because those extensions were probably happening no matter what.

And now, the situation is what it is: no stars on the roster, no foundational piece, and a pick outside the top 10. That has to affect the team’s valuation too, even if they’ll still sell for billions. You’d think that after missing out on Flagg, they’d try to make a splash and land a real star to stabilize the brand. But that would also require them to have a clear path forward — which they don’t right now.

Personally, I’m all-in on building through the draft. There are at least two or three players projected around our range this year that I’d rather have than Zion or Markkanen. But I keep coming back to this feeling that Cronin is going to make a move. Trading for someone like Zion or Lauri feels exactly like the kind of splash he thinks will buy him credibility, especially with new ownership incoming.

But here’s the real issue: who’s going to want to buy a team that doesn’t control its own future firsts? It’s borderline malpractice that we’re still in this position. Cronin absolutely has to get our pick back from Chicago. Whether they want to build through trades or the draft, that pick is a logjam for either path. And if he doesn’t fix it, it’s another glaring failure added to the list.

Some have floated the idea of a Vucevic–Ayton swap with our pick coming back. Honestly, I think that’s realistic. The pick turns into two seconds if it doesn’t convey in a few years, and we’re nowhere near the 8th seed anytime soon. I don’t think the price will be as high as some fear, unless Chicago tries to get cute and hold it hostage. Still wild that the only reason we lost control of that pick was because Olshey wanted Lauri Markkanen and somehow ended up with Larry Nance Jr. instead — just to make a move.

All that said, I do think Cronin goes all-in this summer. He has to. Once the team is sold, he’s on the shortest leash imaginable. If he wants to stay in the league at all, he’ll need to prove that he can run a franchise competently and fast. But after everything that’s happened, I’m not sure anyone inside or outside the league takes him seriously anymore.

[dckingsfan]

I’d imagine they waited to announce the sale until after the draft lottery. Landing a top-3 pick would’ve instantly boosted the team’s value way more than 14 meaningless late-season wins ever could. Which makes it even more baffling that they pushed so hard to win games when it was already clear they weren’t making the play-in. What was the endgame there? Just to hand out extensions that Jody Allen was never going to pay anyway? Because those extensions were probably happening no matter what.

And now, the situation is what it is: no stars on the roster, no foundational piece, and a pick outside the top 10. That has to affect the team’s valuation too, even if they’ll still sell for billions. You’d think that after missing out on Flagg, they’d try to make a splash and land a real star to stabilize the brand. But that would also require them to have a clear path forward — which they don’t right now.

Personally, I’m all-in on building through the draft. There are at least two or three players projected around our range this year that I’d rather have than Zion or Markkanen. But I keep coming back to this feeling that Cronin is going to make a move. Trading for someone like Zion or Lauri feels exactly like the kind of splash he thinks will buy him credibility, especially with new ownership incoming.

But here’s the real issue: who’s going to want to buy a team that doesn’t control its own future firsts? It’s borderline malpractice that we’re still in this position. Cronin absolutely has to get our pick back from Chicago. Whether they want to build through trades or the draft, that pick is a logjam for either path. And if he doesn’t fix it, it’s another glaring failure added to the list.

Some have floated the idea of a Vucevic–Ayton swap with our pick coming back. Honestly, I think that’s realistic. The pick turns into two seconds if it doesn’t convey in a few years, and we’re nowhere near the 8th seed anytime soon. I don’t think the price will be as high as some fear, unless Chicago tries to get cute and hold it hostage. Still wild that the only reason we lost control of that pick was because Olshey wanted Lauri Markkanen and somehow ended up with Larry Nance Jr. instead — just to make a move.

All that said, I do think Cronin goes all-in this summer. He has to. Once the team is sold, he’s on the shortest leash imaginable. If he wants to stay in the league at all, he’ll need to prove that he can run a franchise competently and fast. But after everything that’s happened, I’m not sure anyone inside or outside the league takes him seriously anymore.

Reminder, the worst two teams didn't get any of the top 4 picks. It is a "luck" thing. The new draft lottery is set-up where shamelessly tanking isn't really the answer. In fact, Dallas and SA benefit more from those two top picks than do the worst teams. So - in n-game theory you would want to build the best team you could and then get one of those picks.

I do think this team has foundational pieces in Camara, Deni & Clingan and maybe in Scoot (and Thybulle if you can sign him to a friendly team deal). The team is also in good position with regards to the cap and this CBA - they just need to not hand out ridiculous extensions - and they don't need to do so... there aren't teams that are going to sign Ayton, Simons or Sharpe to large contracts. If they do, we are doing n-game theory so that would hurt the opposing team - all good.

Here is to "hoping" that the new ownership puts a collar on Cronin.

[Norm2953]

It would be interesting to know fast the team will be sold for its not like this sale of the team is
surprise to anyone.

Let's hope the need for the team to improve their bottom line will prevent Cronin from doing something
stupid as pursuing extensions for Simons/Ayton.

I'd frankly would be happy if they just sat on their hands and drafted somebody at 11 that hopefully will
contribute next season. Doing nothing is better than doing something stupid

[dckingsfan]

SA is going to be interesting - I think with Fox, Harper & Castle - Vassell becomes expendable.

Grant for Vassell wouldn't be a "bad" trade.

Obviously, if SA can trade with Milwaukee for Giannis - well, never mind.

[dckingsfan]

Watch on YouTube

@ 1:29 - Carter Bryant is their pick.

[PDXKnight]

Sounds about right what UTA “ask” is for Markkanen

No thank you, I would not trade (2) 1st’s for Lauri, and having his contract and Grant’s would be less than ideal for POR future

It will be interesting to watch what Cronin does given POR is for sale, can’t imagine any big moves unless they are no brainers and Cronin seems adverse to making deals anyway

Which is why he probably either lets Simons go into next year without a deal OR he signs him to a 3 year extension, just keep kicking the can down the road, it is what he is best at

I can’t tell if this is Joe’s preference or he is circumvented by Bert’s desires, is he free to do what he wants now that he has a new deal & the team is for sale? Will be interesting to watch.

How any GM thinks you can win meaningful games with Simons starting in your backcourt should be disqualifying to have that position

Agreed on all counts.

I don't want anything trade for Lauri like this but if we make a move Grant has to be going in that deal otherwise its a definite no.

I'll answer the second one, Bert is the gm owner and all of the above, and jody has given him the green light to be that guy pretty much.

Simons needs to go, I do think Cronin and co will try to kick the can but hopefully they leave the books clear for new ownership to decide that one. I do think the changing ownership makes the ant move a lot less likely now

[zzaj]

Sounds about right what UTA “ask” is for Markkanen

No thank you, I would not trade (2) 1st’s for Lauri, and having his contract and Grant’s would be less than ideal for POR future

It will be interesting to watch what Cronin does given POR is for sale, can’t imagine any big moves unless they are no brainers and Cronin seems adverse to making deals anyway

Which is why he probably either lets Simons go into next year without a deal OR he signs him to a 3 year extension, just keep kicking the can down the road, it is what he is best at

I can’t tell if this is Joe’s preference or he is circumvented by Bert’s desires, is he free to do what he wants now that he has a new deal & the team is for sale? Will be interesting to watch.

How any GM thinks you can win meaningful games with Simons starting in your backcourt should be disqualifying to have that position

Agreed on all counts.

I don't want anything trade for Lauri like this but if we make a move Grant has to be going in that deal otherwise its a definite no.

I'll answer the second one, Bert is the gm owner and all of the above, and jody has given him the green light to be that guy pretty much.

Simons needs to go, I do think Cronin and co will try to kick the can but hopefully they leave the books clear for new ownership to decide that one. I do think the changing ownership makes the ant move a lot less likely now

I do wonder if Jkoldy is going to put handcuffs on Cronin over the summer in terms of adding huge money contracts/extensions. If I’m a potentially owner, I want less of those on my prospective team—and I’d drive down the price if it had a couple of Albatross contracts.

Of course Jkoldy could not really care, since they aren’t really seeing the money for the sale…but I have to think that there is some impetus for the team valuation to be sold high, otherwise why did they wait until the new TV deal is in place?

[JasonStern]

Dumbest timeline ever if we extend Simons. I hate everything so much right now.

Joe Cronin: But you can let home grown talent walk for nothing! And he’ll have MORE value with an extended contract!!!

Me: *drinks bleach*

I will never understand the hate most people have for most of the players on this roster.
Simons is still a 19ppg/5apg undersized combo guard that, at 25, can still fill a role on a rebuilding team.
Now, if you stipulated that he gets resigned at $20M+, then I can see the concern.
But crying about having a 25 year old 19ppg/5apg player on the roster instead of prime Dame isn't going to bring prime Dame back. It just means you have a competent role player on the roster.
Giving all of Simons minutes to Murray and boasting how we cut the salary level down isn't really going to excite me as a fan.
And if retaining a competent role player on a reasonable contract is enough to make you consider drinking bleach, seek help. It's just a game.

Personally, I don't think Simons or Ayton get offered extensions until next season due to the team being up for sale. Just use pick #11. Shop Thybulle/Timelord for money saving reasons. Then roll out another lottery bound team next season until our future overlords take over.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Dumbest timeline ever if we extend Simons. I hate everything so much right now.

Joe Cronin: But you can let home grown talent walk for nothing! And he’ll have MORE value with an extended contract!!!

Me: *drinks bleach*

I will never understand the hate most people have for most of the players on this roster.
Simons is still a 19ppg/5apg undersized combo guard that, at 25, can still fill a role on a rebuilding team.
Now, if you stipulated that he gets resigned at $20M+, then I can see the concern.
But crying about having a 25 year old 19ppg/5apg player on the roster instead of prime Dame isn't going to bring prime Dame back. It just means you have a competent role player on the roster.
Giving all of Simons minutes to Murray and boasting how we cut the salary level down isn't really going to excite me as a fan.
And if retaining a competent role player on a reasonable contract is enough to make you consider drinking bleach, seek help. It's just a game.

Personally, I don't think Simons or Ayton get offered extensions until next season due to the team being up for sale. Just use pick #11. Shop Thybulle/Timelord for money saving reasons. Then roll out another lottery bound team next season until our future overlords take over.

Has anyone said the Blazers should get rid of Simon's and give his minutes to Murray? I've not seen it. I want Simon's gone, not because he's not Lillard, but because he's like Lillard. I'm tired of short tweeter guards who don't play defense. He's a chucker and I am ready to move on from that. The team played better without him. He has some value so cash in before he becomes another Grant.

[Walton1one]

Joe Cronin: But you can let home grown talent walk for nothing! And he’ll have MORE value with an extended contract!!!

Me: *drinks bleach*

I will never understand the hate most people have for most of the players on this roster.
Simons is still a 19ppg/5apg undersized combo guard that, at 25, can still fill a role on a rebuilding team.
Now, if you stipulated that he gets resigned at $20M+, then I can see the concern.
But crying about having a 25 year old 19ppg/5apg player on the roster instead of prime Dame isn't going to bring prime Dame back. It just means you have a competent role player on the roster.
Giving all of Simons minutes to Murray and boasting how we cut the salary level down isn't really going to excite me as a fan.
And if retaining a competent role player on a reasonable contract is enough to make you consider drinking bleach, seek help. It's just a game.

Personally, I don't think Simons or Ayton get offered extensions until next season due to the team being up for sale. Just use pick #11. Shop Thybulle/Timelord for money saving reasons. Then roll out another lottery bound team next season until our future overlords take over.

Has anyone said the Blazers should get rid of Simon's and give his minutes to Murray? I've not seen it. I want Simon's gone, not because he's not Lillard, but because he's like Lillard. I'm tired of short tweeter guards who don't play defense. He's a chucker and I am ready to move on from that. The team played better without him. He has some value so cash in before he becomes another Grant.

He’s not anywhere close to Lillard, he’s not even anywhere close to CJ, in fact he’s budget CJ, and the issue with him has always been too much iso ball, he provides nothing else if he’s not scoring and will always be hunted on defense, cannot win anything meaningful with that kind of player, especially when you’re paying him $25+ million a year & expecting him to be the “alpha”

We will find out how much a homer for his own guys Cronin is this off-season, because if he resigns Simons you can bet it won’t be for less than he’s making now, so all this talk of him on a affordable contract are ridiculous, because that is never going to happen. Name me one contract Cronin has signed a player to that was.

Grant?
Nurkic?
Little?
Simons (the 1st one)?

Let’s review shall we?

Grant - One of the worst contracts in the league

Nurkic - So bad, that PHX sent a 1st round pick just to get off his contract

Little - PHX ate\stretched several years of his deal just to be rid of him

Simons - Just last off-season, other teams signed better/comparable players to better deals than the one Cronin gave to Simons 3 years ago

Yeah, I’m sure if he resigns any of the vets, they will not be on “team friendly”deals, wishful thinking