Training Camp - 2025

[dckingsfan]

https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/09/29/deni-avdija-deni-avdija-on-goals-for-the-season/86422522007/

[dckingsfan]

Read on Twitter

[DaVoiceMaster]

Read on Twitter

Hmmm, so will we have another unhappy Grant if he DOES come off the bench? We saw how ell an unhappy Grant plays last year.

[Walton1one]

LOL, That is what Jerami Grant is synonymous with "Winning"

Great to see he is such a "Team" player. Look forward to hearing Billups explain why Grant is deserving as a starter after a few sub-par performances. Got to hold everyone to the "standard", by that I mean, the younger players....

[BlazersBroncos]

Even with Holiday, even with Dame returning, even with the team explicitily stating the goal is to win. Even with all this Grant is still being a bitch.

Clown. Pure selfish clown. Grant doesnt care about winning games or rings. He cares about getting 15+ shots per game. The guy is nowhere near maligned enough by non-PDX fans. Fans of the league clown consistently on guys like Poole for being selfish chuckers who couldnt care less about winning but Grant is RIGHT up there with the most self absorbed selfish knuckle heads in the league.

[DusterBuster]

There was a reason I was so adamant about giving Grant the Ayton treatment, even with the dead cap implications.

[dckingsfan]

I don't know what to make of this...

https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/09/29/robert-williams-iii-blazers-have-target-date-in-mind-for-return/86429003007/

[dckingsfan]

This one is a duh

https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/09/29/sean-highkin-jrue-holiday-defensively-i-think-we/86428994007/

[DusterBuster]

I don't know what to make of this...

https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/09/29/robert-williams-iii-blazers-have-target-date-in-mind-for-return/86429003007/

I heard the comments during the conference. I don't think there's much to really make of it one way or another. Rob wouldn't say when that time is, Joe (according to Rob iirc) said his most important thing is that Rob is as healthy as he can possibly be before coming back. He's somewhere between non-contact practices and small practice with like 2-4 players.

I would expect him to be on a similar timeline to Scoot, probably around maybe Nov or Dec he makes his debut, but no one is rushing him to do anything. Team is prioritizing his health above all.

The only really "interesting" piece that came out of the conference imo was Joe talking about Tom Dundon. I wasn't sure how much - if anything at all - that was going to be brought up or what could be said with the sale still not final. Joe did confirm he's already had some early and positive meetings with Tom. Joe also confirmed until the sale is final, Jody and the Allen estate still have all final say on deals... tho one has to wonder how much they'll defer to Tom or have him in those conversations in this weird middle part of the transition/sale.

I could see this being a pretty quiet year for moves with the team from a roster perspective. More just not wanting to rock the boat sort of thing and keep the roster essentially as is until Tom has full control and can be deciding where to go from there as long as nothing stupid crazy good happens to fall in their laps.

[DusterBuster]

I wonder, if Jrue has any injury, would the Blazers consider signing Russ?

[dckingsfan]

I wonder, if Jrue has any injury, would the Blazers consider signing Russ?

Would Westbrook come here?

[DusterBuster]

I wonder, if Jrue has any injury, would the Blazers consider signing Russ?

Would Westbrook come here?

I mean, he's willing to goto the Kangz... who knows, but maybe?

[DusterBuster]

Other random thoughts/takeaways from MD...

Scoot looked way more locked in and professional than last year. I'm bummed about his injury, but like what Dame mentioned about them getting to spend even more time together to start the season mentoring wise. But I was pretty done with Scoot with his MD last year when he came in quick clearly baked out of his mind. No shade, most of us partake, but man, keep that stuff at home, not at work. Seems like he's starting to get some more maturity, which sucks again that he's injured, but I'm really hopeful this is a big season for him with the mental aspect of the game. The big gamble was that Dame and Jrue really get him the leaders he need to mature and grow in the PG we hoped he would be coming out of that draft.

Shae, gotta say that was the opposite. I'll give him a bit of a break because I know it's probably just his personality, but he's just so bad in interviews and really shy. I hope he worked on his game and just blows everyone away, but just zero to gleam from his portion of the presser. It just feeds into my and others worry about him, which is totally between the ears. All the talent in the world, but is the motivation there?

Excited to see Yang and that Billups seems sold to play him. With Rob out, the backup C mins will either have to goto him or Reath. I'm hoping (and believe) Yang gets early season backup minutes first. If he's looking really out of his depth even in spot minutes, I won't be surprised if his mins goto Reath and then Yang may see some Remix time... but man am I pulling for Yang to be fun to start the year. That would be such an exciting storyline early in the year if he's competent for 15min stretches a game.

I'll be interested to see some smallball this year. As good as the Blazers size is, if they hit some injury bugs to the bigs, I wonder if we won't see some Deni at the 5 minutes in some games. I'm not saying I want that, but it would be interesting to see something like Jrue/Shae/Tou/Grant/Deni combo, just trying to run teams out of the building.

Grant, we already talked about... but some real cognitive dissonance there when he said he was surprised he wasn't moved. My brother in christ, you are paid 35mil per for the next 3 years and you just posted a 15ppg season on insanely bad shooting percentages... what did you expect? Bummer that he's gonna have to start just for him to "stay engaged" - but also, Shae ain't exactly blowing me away in his presser that he deserve the starting nod either... so, we'll see.

Tou and Deni we're pretty basic pressers. Nothing of note really from them.

Clingan seems ready to go, really hoping he stays healthy because I really think he can be a beast this year and get All Defense nods if he does.

Jrue was a pro. Really do think he's gonna bring a lot to the team. He was the most complementary and excited he's shown so far to be part of the team... but that could also just be him knowing how to play the Media Day game right - it is his 16th season after all. Would love to see him have a bit of a bounceback season from last year. Hopefully at least be as good as he was. Regardless tho, I love what he can bring and will be a breath of fresh air from Simons. Not that I disliked Simons, just what he brought wasn't what this team needs.

Finally, super fun to have Dame back again. Sucks he's gonna be out but hopeful he's gonna be pretty present all season in other ways.

[Walton1one]

The RW3 news on his "return" just made me laugh, starting to think this guy has one of the best grifts going on in the NBA today. The fact that Cronin did not trade him right away or when he played healthy for a few games is just stupid. If his value is so meaningful for the locker room, then maybe he should be an assistant coach and not a player on the roster? Just dumb. Expect another wasted year from that guy, good player when he plays, problem is he never plays, whether he is traded or not, I can't see him coming back next year, he will be onto the next grift...err team.

Better hope DC stays healthy, b\c w\o RW3 for most of the year (likely) & Reath\Yang as backups, yikes. I'd bet you would see Deni at small ball center starting before either Reath\Yang would. Reath is lucky to be on an NBA roster, and Yang, well we will see how good a CBA mid tier player looks against real NBA talent.

BTW, love this reversal from Cronin, I know some people still seem to want to defend this front office, but Cronin is a clown show, again talking out of both sides of his mouth and demonstrating that he doesn't know what he is doing. Adding Dame & Jrue to make the.......playin? Seems like a wonderful strategy to lead this team to....nowhere.

This is from Highkin, not the type of reporter I would call tough on the blazers....

Media day is about setting expectations.

The opening of training camp is usually a good barometer, not for how a team's season is going to go, but for how they think it's going to go.

For months, the Trail Blazers have been telegraphing that they don't consider themselves a rebuilding team anymore. After going 23-18 in the second half of the season, general manager Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups both signed contract extensions.

Trading Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday, who is almost 10 years older and was coming from two contending situations in Boston and Milwaukee, is a move you make when you aren't focused on lottery odds.

The clearest indication of that came the last time Cronin talked to reporters, at the July 22 press conference announcing the return of Damian Lillard.

"It's winning time now for the Trail Blazers," he said then.

Two months later, on the eve of training camp, Cronin seemed to walk that back a little.

Of course he did,

[dckingsfan]

...Of course he did.

This should be under the heading of duh, right? This takes the pressure off of the entire franchise and allows the Blazers to keep developing and hopefully luck into a good pick (like Dallas).

The perfect cover is that 3 of your players are starting the season with injuries (Williams, Scoot & Dame). And you have two young centers that need to develop.

I am good with now doubling down on make the playoffs or bust given where these Blazers are at and what happened in the west in the off-season.

My 1/2 cent.

[DusterBuster]

The RW3 news on his "return" just made me laugh, starting to think this guy has one of the best grifts going on in the NBA today. The fact that Cronin did not trade him right away or when he played healthy for a few games is just stupid. If his value is so meaningful for the locker room, then maybe he should be an assistant coach and not a player on the roster? Just dumb. Expect another wasted year from that guy, good player when he plays, problem is he never plays, whether he is traded or not, I can't see him coming back next year, he will be onto the next grift...err team.

Better hope DC stays healthy, b\c w\o RW3 for most of the year (likely) & Reath\Yang as backups, yikes. I'd bet you would see Deni at small ball center starting before either Reath\Yang would. Reath is lucky to be on an NBA roster, and Yang, well we will see how good a CBA mid tier player looks against real NBA talent.

BTW, love this reversal from Cronin, I know some people still seem to want to defend this front office, but Cronin is a clown show, again talking out of both sides of his mouth and demonstrating that he doesn't know what he is doing. Adding Dame & Jrue to make the.......playin? Seems like a wonderful strategy to lead this team to....nowhere.

This is from Highkin, not the type of reporter I would call tough on the blazers....

Media day is about setting expectations.

The opening of training camp is usually a good barometer, not for how a team's season is going to go, but for how they think it's going to go.

For months, the Trail Blazers have been telegraphing that they don't consider themselves a rebuilding team anymore. After going 23-18 in the second half of the season, general manager Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups both signed contract extensions.

Trading Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday, who is almost 10 years older and was coming from two contending situations in Boston and Milwaukee, is a move you make when you aren't focused on lottery odds.

The clearest indication of that came the last time Cronin talked to reporters, at the July 22 press conference announcing the return of Damian Lillard.

"It's winning time now for the Trail Blazers," he said then.

Two months later, on the eve of training camp, Cronin seemed to walk that back a little.

Of course he did,

Jesus, cynical much? I'll choose to have a bit of empathy for the guy, seems like a good dude, but his body just can't take the rigors of the NBA. He's got a guaranteed deal he's doing his best to try and fulfill.

As for Cronin, you're thoughts on him are well documented, as are mine. If anything, I think one of the biggest things that might end up costing him his job is simply he's communication abilities. He's never been a very skilled communicator and ends up saying one thing in one moment, then having to walk it back. One could look at that as a negative, or as him being human. The inverse of someone who says one thing in one moment but then has to walk it back later with new information/hindsight is someone like a Neil Olshey or Donald Trump, that being where even if you say something out of turn in the past or a previous belief ends up being wrong in the long-run, you just **** double and triple down on it.

I would rather Cronin honestly just talk less about "the future" in his statements. Just on what his next month or two of moves/objectives are vs more grand objectives like "going all in" and such.

[Walton1one]

...Of course he did.

This should be under the heading of duh, right? This takes the pressure off of the entire franchise and allows the Blazers to keep developing and hopefully luck into a good pick (like Dallas).

The perfect cover is that 3 of your players are starting the season with injuries (Williams, Scoot & Dame). And you have two young centers that need to develop.

I am good with now doubling down on make the playoffs or bust given where these Blazers are at and what happened in the west in the off-season.

My 1/2 cent.

I don't understand this logic? By making the playoff POR relinquishes their 2026 1st round pick to CHI, in what is shaping up to be a super strong draft (2027 draft BTW is the exact opposite). All for what exactly? No chance at advancing to anything significant.

Again, I am not the one who stated it was "Winning Time" or advocated pushing for a play in LY, which cost them a likely higher draft pick, that was all Cronin. He keeps playing these two timelines, which is not working, at all, doubles down on it by trading for 36yr old Jrue, and then basically walks that back at his press conference? Well, which is it?

Does he delusionally think they are a playoff contending team now or are they still rebuilding? Because he continues to do both and I would remind everyone he doesn't have a team with a winning record in his 4-year tenure, let alone one that has been within 10 games of .500. Let that sink in.

Jesus, cynical much? I'll choose to have a bit of empathy for the guy, seems like a good dude, but his body just can't take the rigors of the NBA. He's got a guaranteed deal he's doing his best to try and fulfill.

With respect DB, Robert Williams aka "Timelord" has played 35, 6 & 20 games over the last 3 years. In fact, he has only ONE year in his 7-year career where he played over 60 games. Now I don't wish injury\bad luck on any player, however trading for said player and then not immediately flipping him for value IS a failure by the front office, no matter how you spin it. Last time I checked this is not the National Nice Guys Basketball Association, it is about winning a title, isn't it? Or are we as fans just supposed to be happy with mediocrity and a well played game every now and then?

Cronin can improve his communication tenfold and it is not going to change the fact that he has been at the helm of a listless franchise that has a .348 winning percentage during his 4-year tenure, on which the idiotic Vukcan leadership duo of Jodi\Bert gave him a 3-year raise, because don't you know a .348 winning percentage is actually good? And before anyone says, "they are rebuilding" might I remind you that they have been starting\playing VETERAN players heavy minutes during this whole escapade, so no, you don't get to use "rebuilding" as an excuse, not when you are playing Simons\Grant\Ayton and now Jrue and later Dame heavy minutes at the EXPENSE of your young players.

Am I cynical? Heck yes I am, 40+ years of being a fan\ticket holder and having to witness that last 13 years ode to mediocrity that both Olshey & Cronin are directly responsible for will do that to you. Just about as bad as the "Jail Blazer" years, except the difference is THAT team actually won games. Were that Paul Allen alive, you can bet Cronin (and Billups) would be long gone by now and Olshey would never have lasted those last 5 years after his death. The hope is Dundon comes in and cleans house, both in the front office and in the locker room, because this team as constructed has nowhere near NBA championship material in either the board room or locker room.

[zzaj]

The RW3 news on his "return" just made me laugh, starting to think this guy has one of the best grifts going on in the NBA today. The fact that Cronin did not trade him right away or when he played healthy for a few games is just stupid. If his value is so meaningful for the locker room, then maybe he should be an assistant coach and not a player on the roster? Just dumb. Expect another wasted year from that guy, good player when he plays, problem is he never plays, whether he is traded or not, I can't see him coming back next year, he will be onto the next grift...err team.

Better hope DC stays healthy, b\c w\o RW3 for most of the year (likely) & Reath\Yang as backups, yikes. I'd bet you would see Deni at small ball center starting before either Reath\Yang would. Reath is lucky to be on an NBA roster, and Yang, well we will see how good a CBA mid tier player looks against real NBA talent.

BTW, love this reversal from Cronin, I know some people still seem to want to defend this front office, but Cronin is a clown show, again talking out of both sides of his mouth and demonstrating that he doesn't know what he is doing. Adding Dame & Jrue to make the.......playin? Seems like a wonderful strategy to lead this team to....nowhere.

This is from Highkin, not the type of reporter I would call tough on the blazers....

Media day is about setting expectations.

The opening of training camp is usually a good barometer, not for how a team's season is going to go, but for how they think it's going to go.

For months, the Trail Blazers have been telegraphing that they don't consider themselves a rebuilding team anymore. After going 23-18 in the second half of the season, general manager Joe Cronin and head coach Chauncey Billups both signed contract extensions.

Trading Anfernee Simons for Jrue Holiday, who is almost 10 years older and was coming from two contending situations in Boston and Milwaukee, is a move you make when you aren't focused on lottery odds.

The clearest indication of that came the last time Cronin talked to reporters, at the July 22 press conference announcing the return of Damian Lillard.

"It's winning time now for the Trail Blazers," he said then.

Two months later, on the eve of training camp, Cronin seemed to walk that back a little.

Of course he did,

Jesus, cynical much? I'll choose to have a bit of empathy for the guy, seems like a good dude, but his body just can't take the rigors of the NBA. He's got a guaranteed deal he's doing his best to try and fulfill.

As for Cronin, you're thoughts on him are well documented, as are mine. If anything, I think one of the biggest things that might end up costing him his job is simply he's communication abilities. He's never been a very skilled communicator and ends up saying one thing in one moment, then having to walk it back. One could look at that as a negative, or as him being human. The inverse of someone who says one thing in one moment but then has to walk it back later with new information/hindsight is someone like a Neil Olshey or Donald Trump, that being where even if you say something out of turn in the past or a previous belief ends up being wrong in the long-run, you just **** double and triple down on it.

I would rather Cronin honestly just talk less about "the future" in his statements. Just on what his next month or two of moves/objectives are vs more grand objectives like "going all in" and such.

A long-time friend of mine (who will remain nameless) was a MLB pitcher. He played for 2 teams (also nameless) and on a bunch of farm teams. He knew exactly when he blew out his arm and spent YEARS keeping it from teams in order to keep getting paychecks. In his own words he told me, "I knew I was done 3 quarters into my first year..."

My point is that I don't think it's all that cynical, what Walton1 said. I think these players know everything about their bodies and know the more they say the less they get paid. Williams would rather play ofc, but he's not going to divulge everything if it means less paychecks down the road.

[dckingsfan]

...Of course he did.

This should be under the heading of duh, right? This takes the pressure off of the entire franchise and allows the Blazers to keep developing and hopefully luck into a good pick (like Dallas).

The perfect cover is that 3 of your players are starting the season with injuries (Williams, Scoot & Dame). And you have two young centers that need to develop.

I am good with now doubling down on make the playoffs or bust given where these Blazers are at and what happened in the west in the off-season.

My 1/2 cent.

I don't understand this logic? By making the playoff POR relinquishes their 2026 1st round pick to CHI, in what is shaping up to be a super strong draft (2027 draft BTW is the exact opposite). All for what exactly? No chance at advancing to anything significant.

Again, I am not the one who stated it was "Winning Time" or advocated pushing for a play in LY, which cost them a likely higher draft pick, that was all Cronin. He keeps playing these two timelines, which is not working, at all, doubles down on it by trading for 36yr old Jrue, and then basically walks that back at his press conference? Well, which is it?

Does he delusionally think they are a playoff contending team now or are they still rebuilding? Because he continues to do both and I would remind everyone he doesn't have a team with a winning record in his 4-year tenure, let alone one that has been within 10 games of .500. Let that sink in.

What I mean is that Cronin is giving wiggle room to his coach and the players. Go for it but it is okay if you don't make the playoffs (the likely scenario where they keep their pick).

Basically, his initial comment of "winning time" was shall we say, NOT spot on. He is walking it back to where the club is now. A good defensive team that can be competitive on a nightly basis. It is the right comment for where this team is now.

Reminder: a single good move does not a good GM make. It just means that taking that move in context is a good one. Nothing more.

[DusterBuster]

I gave Shaedon some shade for his less than impressive media day answers, but apparently he's killing it in the early camp returns. Jrue's latest interview mentioned that Shae has been killing him in practices (side note, Shae going against Jrue is a sign of early rotation plans). More importantly, according to Highkin, Shae has been the most praised player by BILLUPS of any player he's singled out so far...

So starting lineup drama ain't over yet... I still suspect Shae to be on the bench to start the year, but it's not out of the realm of possibility they try and find a spot for him. For roster balance, he makes so much more sense at starting SG than Tou. Tou should be the 3/4. Deni should be the 3/4.

Jerami should be in Sacramento right now.