2025 Off-Season Strategy - What will Cronin do?

[Sinobas]

I think if you resimulated the universe a million times you still wouldn't find a Blazer fan that would have predicted this offseason. It's like Joe used AI to come up with the one trade target and the one draft pick no Blazer fan ever discussed.

[Dame Lizard]

I fully understand the trade rationale. We are stockpiling picks in 2028-2030, which bodes well for a new owner making a splash by trading 5x picks for a star.

And I get the appeal for Yang, even though it's puzzling that we just drafted a Centre with the #7 pick last year, and both centres have slow feet.

But I'm unconvinced that we couldn't have traded back.

I guess Atlanta were a risk, but they probably would have drafted Newell over Yang.

Let's sell this team and fire Cronin already please.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Boston trades Holiday
Boston receives Simon

Milwaukee trades Lillard, Kuzma, Connaughton
Milwaukee receives Holiday, Ayton , Grant

Portland trades Ayton, Grant, Simon
Portland receives Lillard, Kuzma, Connaughton

This trade works in Spotrac. Sure, Lillard does not play next year. The Blazers can suck one more year and have 2 picks next year (one lotto for aure). Lillard and Kuzma have 2 more years which is 1-year less than Grant and Holiday. That puts them in a nice spot come 2027/28 when they receive picks from Milwaukee, Boston, and Orlando over the next 3-years.

[Case2012]

Apparently there's been a few other Chinese centers taken in the lottery back in the 2000's. Not good. There's literally only been one good Chinese NBA Center, none have lasted more than a year i think.

I shudder to think what he's going to do next.

Everything he does is terrible.

I knew whatever he did, it was going to be bad, but this is epic.

Yang if successful will only be the second Chinese player ever to do it. This wasn't a swing, this was a cannon. This was a lazer beam into space.

Joe really doesn't care about the fans at all, i mean i get that in a sense, but that's who this is for ya know? You want to make your fans happy, if you're all about your job, then you might want to consider that.

I wonder what Joe is gonna do after he gets fired? Retire? Invest well and he won't have to work i guess with the money he guaranteed himself with that extension. Maybe he'll switch careers like Hinkie.

[DusterBuster]

The Blazers might have the most bi-polar FO in the league. Some really good rational trades, followed by absolute bat **** wtf-ness

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

[Case2012]

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=HardwoodHoopsCentral%27sNBADraftGreenRoom

I've found 5 hours of Yang footage. He's actually fun to watch... Either that or I'm still delirious from last weekend.

He moves better than Clingan, he can shoot 3s, the passing is nice, he was DPOY in in China, he has a lot of touch around the rim and the footwork looks ok... It's just such a bad place to pick him. You take him 32 with the pick you bought for 500k.

Anyone else seeing it?

[Case2012]

https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2025/06/oregon-senator-calls-trading-anfernee-simons-for-jrue-holiday-crazy.html

Even at a state level the government thinks Joe is crazy.

Olshey and Cronin have combined to decimate this franchise from it's once great history.

Spoiler:

Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham (R-District 26) clearly loves the Portland Trail Blazers, but he wasn’t too thrilled with the team’s recent trade ahead of Wednesday night’s NBA draft.

The Oregon Senate unanimously approved HCR 40, a resolution recognizing the importance of the Portland Trail Blazers to the state, on Tuesday.

Bonham presented the bill, proposed to officially affirm the Blazers’ “extraordinary cultural and economic contributions” to the state and encourage the NBA and a future new owner to keep the team in Portland.


While doing so, he criticized the pending trade announced Monday, sending guard Anfernee Simons, 26, to the Boston Celtics for guard Jrue Holiday, 35.


The trade can’t be finalized until early July.

“Interestingly, last night I was watching the news and I saw that we traded Anfernee Simons,” Bonham said while stroking the side of his head. “And I thought, darn it, anyway, I’m gonna carry this bill tomorrow talking about my hometown team, wanting to stay in Oregon, and I think they just did something crazy.”

Bonham smiled and then continued, “Am I allowed to impugn the general management of the Portland Trail Blazers?”

This is wild coming from a state rep.

The question drew laughter. He then read from an article at BlazersEdge.com on the trade: “Normally, a team will trade for someone more talented, younger, maybe to save money or to get future draft capital. It’s rare when a team takes an L in all four of those categories.”

The Blazers traded Simons, who spent seven seasons in Rip City, and two second-round picks for the much older Holiday, a two-time All-Star, who, in theory, could make the team better, given his defensive prowess.


However, Simons has one year remaining on his contract worth $27.6 million, while Holiday is owed $104 million over the next three seasons.

Bonham moved on from his criticism of the trade to point out that such fan emotions fuel fans. “But this is what makes being a fan great, isn’t it? We get to harken back to the days of Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter and ‘Mercy, Mercy Jerome Kersey.’”

Bonham continued on from there, talking about the 1977 championship team, the team’s two runs to the finals in the early 1990s, former superstar Damian Lillard and how much the franchise unites fans.

“Think of how much we argue,” he said. “Think of how much we disagree. But if we all went to a Portland Trailblazer game, we’d be drinking our sodas, eating our popcorn, cheering on the red and black. Right? It’s unifying.”

Bonham concluded by selling the bill.

“It’s going to be a challenging season ahead. I’m looking forward to the draft,” he said. “But most of all, I’m looking forward to keeping the Portland Trail Blazers here in Oregon. If we can send this message to the world, we love our Trail Blazers and we want them here, I think it’s worth our vote. Please join me in supporting HR40.”

[tester551]

I fully understand the trade rationale. We are stockpiling picks in 2028-2030, which bodes well for a new owner making a splash by trading 5x picks for a star.

And I get the appeal for Yang, even though it's puzzling that we just drafted a Centre with the #7 pick last year, and both centres have slow feet.

But I'm unconvinced that we couldn't have traded back.

I guess Atlanta were a risk, but they probably would have drafted Newell over Yang.

Let's sell this team and fire Cronin already please.

I think both Brooklyn (19) and Minny (17) were there waiting to draft him.

[tester551]

Apparently there's been a few other Chinese centers taken in the lottery back in the 2000's. Not good. There's literally only been one good Chinese NBA Center, none have lasted more than a year i think.

I shudder to think what he's going to do next.

Everything he does is terrible.

I knew whatever he did, it was going to be bad, but this is epic.

Yang if successful will only be the second Chinese player ever to do it. This wasn't a swing, this was a cannon. This was a lazer beam into space.

Joe really doesn't care about the fans at all, i mean i get that in a sense, but that's who this is for ya know? You want to make your fans happy, if you're all about your job, then you might want to consider that.

I wonder what Joe is gonna do after he gets fired? Retire? Invest well and he won't have to work i guess with the money he guaranteed himself with that extension. Maybe he'll switch careers like Hinkie.

IMO, Yang was not a reach at 16. If you watch him (more than just the highlights); he's got real game.

As with any pick - we'll see how he develops.... but I like the pick

[tester551]

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=HardwoodHoopsCentral%27sNBADraftGreenRoom

I've found 5 hours of Yang footage. He's actually fun to watch... Either that or I'm still delirious from last weekend.

He moves better than Clingan, he can shoot 3s, the passing is nice, he was DPOY in in China, he has a lot of touch around the rim and the footwork looks ok... It's just such a bad place to pick him. You take him 32 with the pick you bought for 500k.

Anyone else seeing it?

He would not have lasted that long. He was going to be picked by 24 at the latest (probably either 17 or 19).

Don't trust the talking heads on TV. Hes a good player

[Norm2953]

The thing is where does he play since the team invested a lottery pick on Clingan in last years draft.

Perhaps now if he looks okay in rookie camp, the team trades DC

Looking at the Hornets who just traded Mark Williams need a center. Their board hated the KK draft
and perhaps they would trade KK for Clingan?

[Blazinaway]

I fully understand the trade rationale. We are stockpiling picks in 2028-2030, which bodes well for a new owner making a splash by trading 5x picks for a star.

And I get the appeal for Yang, even though it's puzzling that we just drafted a Centre with the #7 pick last year, and both centres have slow feet.

But I'm unconvinced that we couldn't have traded back.

I guess Atlanta were a risk, but they probably would have drafted Newell over Yang.

Let's sell this team and fire Cronin already please.

I think both Brooklyn (19) and Minny (17) were there waiting to draft him.

Seriously? Based ow what?

[The Sebastian Express]

Honestly, I'm not even upset at it. I don't think it was the right move, but can't undo it. Sucked that all three guys I wanted were there and we even technically drafted one.

But my major concern going into next season now are:

1. Please do not let Chauncey start Jrue and Grant.
2. Ayton's getting traded, right?
3. Uhh... are we targeting shooters in FA?

[Walton1one]

lol, he was a complete reach, literally EVERYONE said it, and even if they think he’s gonna be good, which he likely will not be, taking him at #16 is absolutely ridiculous

What is amazing to me is that Cronin & co continually think they know better than the rest of the league when they literally have no record of success, what misguided hubris and there are just enough fans & media to praise them no matter what they do which puts zero pressure on them to defend their crappy moves

You have multiple teams firing their coaches because they did not progress far enough in the playoffs, and yet POR inept “owners “reward the GM/coach with extensions for missing the freaking playin.

What’s next, a lifetime deal if they make the #8 seed?

Worst front office in the NBA & it is not even close, and other teams, players and agents know it, but some fans….

Oh yeah and of course players from China have a huge success rate in the NBA, sure this will work out great, Ha Seung Jin part 2 here we come, unbelievable

[Goldbum]

I fully understand the trade rationale. We are stockpiling picks in 2028-2030, which bodes well for a new owner making a splash by trading 5x picks for a star.

And I get the appeal for Yang, even though it's puzzling that we just drafted a Centre with the #7 pick last year, and both centres have slow feet.

But I'm unconvinced that we couldn't have traded back.

I guess Atlanta were a risk, but they probably would have drafted Newell over Yang.

Let's sell this team and fire Cronin already please.

I think both Brooklyn (19) and Minny (17) were there waiting to draft him.

This is correct. He would not have made it past 19. That’s crazy to me though. Even if he’s best case, pipe dream scenario and a bigger Sengun I don’t like the fit. KJ was there. I know for a fact we have been looking for a SG sized PG to come off the bench for awhile. We had Demin over Yang but Brooklyn took him early, Portland was afraid Brooklyn would take their “other” guy too. I’m hearing that before the Holiday trade they would have gone guard… IDK I’m having conversations but my mother in law died 2 days ago so it’s throwing me way off

[Walton1one]

Fine by me, let BRK make that mistake

[Butter]

I fully understand the trade rationale. We are stockpiling picks in 2028-2030, which bodes well for a new owner making a splash by trading 5x picks for a star.

And I get the appeal for Yang, even though it's puzzling that we just drafted a Centre with the #7 pick last year, and both centres have slow feet.

But I'm unconvinced that we couldn't have traded back.

I guess Atlanta were a risk, but they probably would have drafted Newell over Yang.

Let's sell this team and fire Cronin already please.

I think both Brooklyn (19) and Minny (17) were there waiting to draft him.

This is correct. He would not have made it past 19. That’s crazy to me though. Even if he’s best case, pipe dream scenario and a bigger Sengun I don’t like the fit. KJ was there. I know for a fact we have been looking for a SG sized PG to come off the bench for awhile. We had Demin over Yang but Brooklyn took him early, Portland was afraid Brooklyn would take their “other” guy too. I’m hearing that before the Holiday trade they would have gone guard… IDK I’m having conversations but my mother in law died 2 days ago so it’s throwing me way off

Sorry to hear that GB. Basketball is just a game. Thanks for chiming in when you can.

[The Sebastian Express]

I fully understand the trade rationale. We are stockpiling picks in 2028-2030, which bodes well for a new owner making a splash by trading 5x picks for a star.

And I get the appeal for Yang, even though it's puzzling that we just drafted a Centre with the #7 pick last year, and both centres have slow feet.

But I'm unconvinced that we couldn't have traded back.

I guess Atlanta were a risk, but they probably would have drafted Newell over Yang.

Let's sell this team and fire Cronin already please.

I think both Brooklyn (19) and Minny (17) were there waiting to draft him.

This is correct. He would not have made it past 19. That’s crazy to me though. Even if he’s best case, pipe dream scenario and a bigger Sengun I don’t like the fit. KJ was there. I know for a fact we have been looking for a SG sized PG to come off the bench for awhile. We had Demin over Yang but Brooklyn took him early, Portland was afraid Brooklyn would take their “other” guy too. I’m hearing that before the Holiday trade they would have gone guard… IDK I’m having conversations but my mother in law died 2 days ago so it’s throwing me way off

Sorry about your mother-in-law. Condolences to your partner, you and your family.

[DusterBuster]

IDK I’m having conversations but my mother in law died 2 days ago so it’s throwing me way off

Sending my condolences as well GB, lost my MoL around this same time last year as well.

I think both Brooklyn (19) and Minny (17) were there waiting to draft him.

This is correct. He would not have made it past 19. That’s crazy to me though. Even if he’s best case, pipe dream scenario and a bigger Sengun I don’t like the fit. KJ was there. I know for a fact we have been looking for a SG sized PG to come off the bench for awhile. We had Demin over Yang but Brooklyn took him early, Portland was afraid Brooklyn would take their “other” guy too. I’m hearing that before the Holiday trade they would have gone guard

I saw some tweets online of screenshots from the Wolves draft room that had Yang at the top of their lists for their pick.

So apparently just a dude all the mock writers and scouts just totally wiffed on projections with in terms of how actual scouts felt about him if multiple teams wanted him at that range.

The Demin at 9 pick did seem to be the first domino to really throw things in a tailspin for the draft.

I'm with you as well in the fit category. I guess they're sticking to what we always say we want teams to do, pick your PBA on your board. If their board was Demin and Yang, then they got the guy they could.

At this point, I sure would love to see some rhyme or reason behind the moves this team is making... that's all I really ask. I don't even have to agree with what they're doing, but just have a vision that's clear.