2025 Off-Season Strategy - What will Cronin do?

[DaVoiceMaster]

Time to move Holiday and Grant, trade RW3 at the deadline if he's not injured, and then I'm loving the roster. I'd still love to get Walker from Indiana. Can they afford to keep him?

[PDXKnight]

Time to move Holiday and Grant, trade RW3 at the deadline if he's not injured, and then I'm loving the roster. I'd still love to get Walker from Indiana. Can they afford to keep him?

Its too bad we couldn't have shipped out jerami in a 3 team deal in the jrue trade, I do think holiday will be a good veteran leader who doesnt need the ball to have success just not a huge fan of losing an expiring for him

I do like this group moving forward, we finally open things up for the young guys and losing ayton really is addition by subtraction.

[Dame Lizard]

How much sense does Holiday make now? Is there another deal lined up for him? Letting Ayton go doesnt make a lot of sense either unless there is something else lined up.

I think Wuz posted he was wrong about Cronin cuz he didn't think he'd let him go. Is Wiz wrong a second time due to Ayton?

yeah....I was half convinced Cronin was going to re-sign those guys, especially Simons. Glad my hunch was wrong. My two least favorite Blazers gone in a week

I'll give Cronin some props for this, and now, I can look forward to watching the Blazers next season. I chose to miss a lot of games this year. Be different now

Yes agreed.

I'm disappointed that we didn't get a little bit if value back from Ayton, but at least we have minutes available for our young players.

We'll be more enjoyable to watch even if we're worse.

[zzaj]

I'm 100000% convinced Olshey wanted a "good player" on a similar contract with more years back for Ayton, instead of any kind of draft capital...but he found out what we all knew, that "player" doesn't exist. And if they do, they aren't getting fetched with Ayton.

Clingan/Yang is going to be must watch basketball next season for Blazer fans.

For those Blazer fans that are down on the Jrue trade. Assuming he actually plays...while I don't like that it forces one of Scoot or Sharpe to the bench, he's going to be a big upgrade over Simons. Defensively, he's going to help win some games for the Blazers and I'm excited about him working with Clingan in PnR.

Now that I know for sure that Cronin isn't interested in tanking for a good player, as long as the "git gud" doesn't involve trying with Ayton and Simons...I'm more open to it.

[Norm2953]

Team is making moves for BE is reporting Portland did not extend a QO to Walker, which will make him a UFA.

Seems like they have made plans and there is a clear need for a shooter

[DusterBuster]

I'm 100000% convinced Olshey wanted a "good player" on a similar contract with more years back for Ayton, instead of any kind of draft capital...but he found out what we all knew, that "player" doesn't exist. And if they do, they aren't getting fetched with Ayton.

Clingan/Yang is going to be must watch basketball next season for Blazer fans.

For those Blazer fans that are down on the Jrue trade. Assuming he actually plays...while I don't like that it forces one of Scoot or Sharpe to the bench, he's going to be a big upgrade over Simons. Defensively, he's going to help win some games for the Blazers and I'm excited about him working with Clingan in PnR.

Now that I know for sure that Cronin isn't interested in tanking for a good player, as long as the "git gud" doesn't involve trying with Ayton and Simons...I'm more open to it.

I don’t disagree with anything said here. I mean, I guess it’s cool we will def see Yang play this season. This pick is pretty important looking now.

And yes, I still believe Jrue is an upgrade over Simons… but to what end? Waiving DA is a move to get worse/younger… I’m ok with that… it’s actually what I wanted the team to do since the Dame trade. Lean hard into the youth movement… but then in light of waiving DA so you can have a 2nd yr/rookie C rotation, why bother with a pros pro extra vet like Jrue in front of Scoot.

If ECs don’t have much value anymore (seems likely), then why not just buy out Simons too? Go full **** youth…

**** this random ass no vision summer by Cronin. Even if his blind flailing moves work out, I want him to out of here for someone who has a goddamn plan.

[DusterBuster]

What makes this all even dumber, the Blazers win streak that took them out of contention for a top 7 pick this year was in large part due to them finally figuring out how to use DA properly. The Blazers fell back to mediocrity when DA got injured after the 9 of 10 wins. So a core component to why you supposedly had enough hope to not tank and apparently trade for veteran help you just let walk for nothing… sure. Total sense.

[DusterBuster]

How much sense does Holiday make now? Is there another deal lined up for him? Letting Ayton go doesnt make a lot of sense either unless there is something else lined up.

I think Wuz posted he was wrong about Cronin cuz he didn't think he'd let him go. Is Wiz wrong a second time due to Ayton?

yeah....I was half convinced Cronin was going to re-sign those guys, especially Simons. Glad my hunch was wrong. My two least favorite Blazers gone in a week

I'll give Cronin some props for this, and now, I can look forward to watching the Blazers next season. I chose to miss a lot of games this year. Be different now

I don’t hate these players are gone, but Im really frustrated at the lack of vision here. I would have been more content with them waiving both Simons and DA tonight than what they did with taking on Holiday’s contract.

I’ve long said the team needs to embrace youth. They’ve gotten so close to that finally, but they still have the teams premier draft prize of this rebuild on the bench.

You can convince me Jrue is a great mentor for Scoot. I’m here for that, but if you wanted a vet mentor for Scoot, you can’t tell me there weren’t cheaper options that would have still given Scoot the mentorship I think he clearly needs, while also allowing him to be the clear-cut starter.

Why not just cut Simons and give a 2yr MLE to Chris Paul? Or bring back Brogdon for a year vet min?

[Sinobas]

Signing Luke Kennard for the MLE would be a home run for this team. He's exactly what this roster needs. Also, if we do the Grant/Laker deal, this offseason will be a major success in my book.

Holiday/Scoot
Sharpe/Kennard
Deni/Thybulle
Camara/Rui
Clingan/Yang/RW3


Maybe sign another big man as insurance like Plumlee, Bol Bol or Watford.

[PDXKnight]

How much sense does Holiday make now? Is there another deal lined up for him? Letting Ayton go doesnt make a lot of sense either unless there is something else lined up.

I think Wuz posted he was wrong about Cronin cuz he didn't think he'd let him go. Is Wiz wrong a second time due to Ayton?

yeah....I was half convinced Cronin was going to re-sign those guys, especially Simons. Glad my hunch was wrong. My two least favorite Blazers gone in a week

I'll give Cronin some props for this, and now, I can look forward to watching the Blazers next season. I chose to miss a lot of games this year. Be different now

I don’t hate these players are gone, but Im really frustrated at the lack of vision here. I would have been more content with them waiving both Simons and DA tonight than what they did with taking on Holiday’s contract.

I’ve long said the team needs to embrace youth. They’ve gotten so close to that finally, but they still have the teams premier draft prize of this rebuild on the bench.

You can convince me Jrue is a great mentor for Scoot. I’m here for that, but if you wanted a vet mentor for Scoot, you can’t tell me there weren’t cheaper options that would have still given Scoot the mentorship I think he clearly needs, while also allowing him to be the clear-cut starter.

Why not just cut Simons and give a 2yr MLE to Chris Paul? Or bring back Brogdon for a year vet min?

To me it's depends on what they do with jerami. I wouldnt have done the jrue trade but get Grant off the books and I can live with it at least but both contracts are pretty meh when combined. Thats top 5 superstar money for guys that even if combined you merely have a starter/6th man. And if rumors are accurate especially with Grant a pretty expensive player who would rather not be here.

[m0ng0]

The knee jerk reactions are epic, you people can't even decide if you want to win or not... how do you even buy milk at the supermarket?

[DusterBuster]

The knee jerk reactions are epic, you people can't even decide if you want to win or not... how do you even buy milk at the supermarket?

This might be the weirdest shade I've ever read.

[dckingsfan]

How much sense does Holiday make now? Is there another deal lined up for him? Letting Ayton go doesnt make a lot of sense either unless there is something else lined up.

I think Wuz posted he was wrong about Cronin cuz he didn't think he'd let him go. Is Wiz wrong a second time due to Ayton?

yeah....I was half convinced Cronin was going to re-sign those guys, especially Simons. Glad my hunch was wrong. My two least favorite Blazers gone in a week

I'll give Cronin some props for this, and now, I can look forward to watching the Blazers next season. I chose to miss a lot of games this year. Be different now

Yeah, this is serious addition by subtraction. I am guessing Grant like Ayton is unmovable at this point. But I am totally fine with the 3 forward starting lineup.

Would it be nice to get a shooter. Sure. But Grant, Deni and Camara are all reasonable from the 3 point line. Thybulle seems to have upped his game there as well. Holiday also has had some really good years shooting the 3.

Sharpe is the next one that needs to get moved or let go. He doesn't fit into that 3&D mold in any way shape or form (IMO).

I would love a Williams (Suns do it because he is an expiring) for Allen. But that would be too good to be true.

[Butter]

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Well, crap

[Case2012]

Atlanta has had a pretty good offseason. I saw that they signed NAW to a nice deal, didn't we get him in a trade and just waive him too?

[dckingsfan]

Atlanta has had a pretty good offseason. I saw that they signed NAW to a nice deal, didn't we get him in a trade and just waive him too?

Yeah, right!

Kennard, NAW, Porzingis and Asa Newell. AND, OMG - an unprotected 2026 first-round pick -- the better of Milwaukee or New Orleans.

[HoopsFanAZ]

What Has Cronin Done?

1. Big swing during the draft [a good thing] and though it didn't include Essengue, Bryant, or Coward, selecting Yang and getting a 2028 first rounder and 2 second rounders -- CRONIN and SCHMITZ were bold. If Demin was the preferred target (as suggested), I like their thinking even if that got to Yang. [Demin was in my top 2 with Essengue]

2. Jarue Holiday > Anfernee Simons and with 2 years and a player-option, it isn't the 4-5 years that Simons will likely get. The 2 second rounders is a small price to pay. A better fit in the short term for Portland.

3. Rumored attempts to trade Ayton apparently did not fit what they wanted. Bought out (reportedly) for $10 million savings (which is better than taking in expiring contracts). Not bad.

What's Left To Do?

1. Resolution of Jerami Grant
2. ... wait for a good use of the NTPMLE ... or not
3. Banton and Walker sound gone ... not a lot else to do

It may not have arrived the way anyone would have predicted, or necessarily agree with -- but the roster, the team salary ... it's rounding into form.

Time Lord, Clingan, Yang, Reath
Deni, Toumani, Grant, Murray
Sharpe, Thybulle, Rupert
Holiday, Scoot

If this is it heading into next season, then I'm going to enjoy paying for NBA Pass (Trail Blazers only).
FRONT OFFICE GRADE SO FAR: B-
If Grant is traded in a positive deal, then raise it to a B or B+

This isn't about suddenly becoming a contender. It's still a work in progress, but the pieces that don't fit are exiting much faster than expected.

[Case2012]

DID I ACTUALLY PREDICT BARRETT FOR SHARPE???

*I got ballsacked again lol

[PDXKnight]

DID I ACTUALLY PREDICT BARRETT FOR SHARPE???

Please tell me youre trolling

[Dame Lizard]

What Has Cronin Done?

1. Big swing during the draft [a good thing] and though it didn't include Essengue, Bryant, or Coward, selecting Yang and getting a 2028 first rounder and 2 second rounders -- CRONIN and SCHMITZ were bold. If Demin was the preferred target (as suggested), I like the their thinking. [He was in my top 2 with Essengue]

2. Jarue Holiday > Anfernee Simons and with 2 years and a player-option, it isn't the 4-5 years that Simons will likely get. The 2 second rounders is a small price to pay. A better fit in the short term for Portland.

3. Rumored attempts to trade Ayton apparently did not fit what they wanted. Bought out (reportedly) for $10 million savings (which is better than taking in expiring contracts). Not bad.

What's Left To Do?

1. Resolution of Jerami Grant
2. ... wait for a good use of the NTPMLE ... or not
3. Banton and Walker sound gone ... not a lot else to do

It may not have arrived the way anyone would have predicted, or necessarily agree with -- but the roster, the team salary ... it's rounding into form.

Time Lord, Clingan, Yang, Reath
Deni, Toumani, Grant, Murray
Sharpe, Thybulle, Rupert
Holiday, Scoot

If this is it heading into next season, then I'm going to enjoy paying for NBA Pass (Trail Blazers only).
FRONT OFFICE GRADE SO FAR: B-
If Grant is traded in a positive deal, then raise it to a B or B+

This isn't about suddenly becoming a contender. It's still a work in progress, but the pieces that don't fit are exiting much faster than expected.

In response to your Point #2, we shouldn't judge a 2+1 year deal with Jrue against a 4-5 year potential deal with Simons.

The power was in our hands to let Anfernee expire. Instead of a 1 year expiring, we gained 3 years of an even larger contract for a 35 year old. It's perplexing. And very, very questionable.