Training Camp - 2025

[Wizenheimer]

Jerami should be in Sacramento right now.

too near

[dckingsfan]

https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/10/01/sean-highkin-media-doesnt-get-to-watch-practice-so/86465720007/

[Walton1one]

Spoiler:

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.

I hear what you are saying, but the bottom line is he stated that and is now walking it back. He talks about looking for growth from the younger players but then saddles the team with veteran players who gobble up minutes\usage and they still are losing. Losing with youth is understandable, having vets in a bench\mentorship role is understandable as well. What is not understandable is having vets take up starting spots\usage, LOSING and then trying and paint a picture of development.

Acquiring Jrue or even Dame for that matter, is a win now move not a mentorship for our young guys move. Jrue expects to start, Grant expects to start, Dame will expect to start. What does that mean for Sharpe? For Scoot? Heck, even for Camara or Deni? It means coming off the bench, or taking a reduced usage role so a few older players can chase the last few years of relevance they have in the NBA. Moves like that do not serve the team ANY good in the long run.

If this was a team that was a playoff contender, you could try and rationalize it, but they are not, Cronin has clearly stated they are not, so what in the heck is he doing? He is basically spinning the wheel of mediocrity & dooming this team to several more years of irrelevance. Which BTW sums up his ENTIRE tenure as GM.

[dckingsfan]

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.

I hear what you are saying, but the bottom line is he stated that and is now walking it back. He talks about looking for growth from the younger players but then saddles the team with veteran players who gobble up minutes\usage and they still are losing. Losing with youth is understandable, having vets in a bench\mentorship role is understandable as well. What is not understandable is having vets take up starting spots\usage, LOSING and then trying and paint a picture of development.

Acquiring Jrue or even Dame for that matter, is a win now move not a mentorship for our young guys move. Jrue expects to start, Grant expects to start, Dame will expect to start. What does that mean for Sharpe? For Scoot? Heck, even for Camara or Deni? It means coming off the bench, or taking a reduced usage role so a few older players can chase the last few years of relevance they have in the NBA. Moves like that do not serve the team ANY good in the long run.

If this was a team that was a playoff contender, you could try and rationalize it, but they are not, Cronin has clearly stated they are not, so what in the heck is he doing? He is basically spinning the wheel of mediocrity & dooming this team to several more years of irrelevance. Which BTW sums up his ENTIRE tenure as GM.

You are right, he shouldn't have put pressure on the team in the first place with "it is winning time". I am happy he rolled back that comment and the pressure that goes with it. Should he have thought before he opened his piehole - yep. Do I think it is the right comment given where this team is at and where the Western Conference is at - yep.

A couple of things. I don't necessarily agree with your logic given this current CBA and how the draft works. I think you want to try to do what San Antonio and Dallas did, get lucky with a pretty decent team. Play your best players and let the chips fall where they fall.

Now onto your beef of having this set of on the team that have to play. I think you are spot on here... Although Scoot and Sharpe haven't been all that - that goes back on Cronin as well (since he has been the guy since '21).

Camara and Deni have TAKEN the minutes. Those minutes aren't going to Grant when Dame returns - they just aren't (and that is part of the reason that Grant is miserable - he is now the third best forward on the team). Clingan essentially also TOOK the minutes. So, kudos to Billups for this - not so much Cronin.

Do I think that the Jrue/Dame moves were solid - absolutely not. Adding a pair of geriatric guards makes no sense to me. Was the signing of Grant in the first place a good one - hell no.

Cronin just isn't that good of a GM (I rate him in the lower third of GMs). And that is a problem given that this is n-game theory, the West is loaded and we aren't a "destination" for free agents.

Am I still excited to see what this defensive first team brings - yep.

[oldfishermen]

https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/10/01/sean-highkin-media-doesnt-get-to-watch-practice-so/86465720007/

Hope this report signals Sharpes breakout. SG is the Blazers weakest position. A big improvement in Sharpes game will be a giant step towards the Blazers becoming a playoff team.




PS, I don't understand the Jrue bashing. None of the reasons supporting this faulty agenda make a lick of sense. I get pointing out mistakes. But this is more pure unhealthy hatred for the FO, which crosses mature boundries. Some kids never stop throwing tantrums and accept life is not perfect, and full of compromises.

[dckingsfan]

https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/10/01/sean-highkin-media-doesnt-get-to-watch-practice-so/86465720007/

Hope this report signals Sharpes breakout. SG is the Blazers weakest position. A big improvement in Sharpes game will be a giant step towards the Blazers becoming a playoff team.




PS, I don't understand the Jrue bashing. None of the reasons supporting this faulty agenda make a lick of sense. I get pointing out mistakes. But this is more pure unhealthy hatred for the FO, which crosses mature boundries. Some kids never stop throwing tandrums and accept life is not perfect, and full of compromises.

I sure hope that Sharpe breaks out as well... It does seem like it was a stressful year last year for him. Having Jrue next to him "could" improve his D and the new offense could let him get to the rim more often without a change in his handles.

Yep - this FO could sour one on the Blazers for sure. Some of their moves have been meh at best and really bad at worst. It can be difficult to separate the players & coaches on the floor from the ineptness (and milk-toastness - is that a word) from the FO. I get it. I am just going to enjoy the year.

[DusterBuster]

https://www.hoopshype.com/story/sports/nba/rumors/2025/10/01/sean-highkin-media-doesnt-get-to-watch-practice-so/86465720007/

Hope this report signals Sharpes breakout. SG is the Blazers weakest position. A big improvement in Sharpes game will be a giant step towards the Blazers becoming a playoff team.




PS, I don't understand the Jrue bashing. None of the reasons supporting this faulty agenda make a lick of sense. I get pointing out mistakes. But this is more pure unhealthy hatred for the FO, which crosses mature boundries. Some kids never stop throwing tandrums and accept life is not perfect, and full of compromises.

I sure hope that Sharpe breaks out as well... It does seem like it was a stressful year last year for him. Having Jrue next to him "could" improve his D and the new offense could let him get to the rim more often without a change in his handles.

Yep - this FO could sour one on the Blazers for sure. Some of their moves have been meh at best and really bad at worst. It can be difficult to separate the players & coaches on the floor from the ineptness (and milk-toastness - is that a word) from the FO. I get it. I am just going to enjoy the year.

I’m wondering how much of the teams offensive struggles were Billups based. It’s been insinuated the offense was hard for everyone last year, Grant and Shae’s uncharacteristically rough shooting very well could have been all that.

There’s been a lot of talk that the offense is completely revamped this year… which is to be expected without Simons. It needs to be, and Splitters addition may be why so much of the offense is changing. Apparently he ran a great offense in the overseas league he coached in.

[dckingsfan]

Hope this report signals Sharpes breakout. SG is the Blazers weakest position. A big improvement in Sharpes game will be a giant step towards the Blazers becoming a playoff team.

I sure hope that Sharpe breaks out as well... It does seem like it was a stressful year last year for him. Having Jrue next to him "could" improve his D and the new offense could let him get to the rim more often without a change in his handles.

I’m wondering how much of the teams offensive struggles were Billups based. It’s been insinuated the offense was hard for everyone last year, Grant and Shae’s uncharacteristically rough shooting very well could have been all that.

There’s been a lot of talk that the offense is completely revamped this year… which is to be expected without Simons. It needs to be, and Splitters addition may be why so much of the offense is changing. Apparently he ran a great offense in the overseas league he coached in.

Question: is what you mean, "the offense wasn't constructed well for the personnel we had last year". If that is your take - I agree.

What I like is that they are upgrading their offensive scheme to better suit the players they have this year - especially with Scoot out. I think this is going to take time though. Offensively, it may be rough the first half of the season - and we might be out of it before the offense rounds into shape.

What I like is that they are doubling down on what they are good at - defense.

[Walton1one]

I don't understand the Jrue bashing. None of the reasons supporting this faulty agenda make a lick of sense. I get pointing out mistakes. But this is more pure unhealthy hatred for the FO, which crosses mature boundries. Some kids never stop throwing tantrums and accept life is not perfect, and full of compromises.

Who s bashing Jrue?

Pointing out his age (36), his declining play and massive salary (3yrs @ $30m+) relative to where this team is currently (lottery level) is just stating facts, facts that a lot of fans just want to sweep under the table

And apparently people need to be reminded about the, once again, facts about this front office, .348 win%, playing vets heavy minutes/usage, never been .500, so Jrue\Dane are going to what? Make the team a play in also ran for the 1-3 more years they have left? Wonderful strategy….

And new offense sounds great, until you, check the facts, again, and realize this team cannot shoot worth a lick, which still has been unaddressed these last 4 years

[zzaj]

Yeah, I don’t really see anyone bashing Jrue either…besides Yang, he’ll likely be my favorite player this year…

The FO is the heart of the matter. Stockpiling starting old guards when two lotto pick guards in their 3rd and 4th seasons either shows 1 of 2 things, IMO:

1) Both Scoot and Sharpe don’t have the upside that the FO originally hoped. i.e. they botched those picks.

2) The FO doesn’t trust Scoot and Sharpe to contribute to consistent, winning basketball.

I guess both can be true.

IMHO, it’s simpler than that. They needed another guard to replace Simons—trades were very limited and Jrue fits the defensive thing…and getting Lillard on the roster again is a fan and cash boon for the franchise, regardless if he ever plays at a high level again.

None of that is Jrue’s fault. In fact, a player with his resume that hasn’t shown a single public sign of issue with coming to a non-playoff team in a small market, deserves a nodvof commendation…

[dckingsfan]

Yeah, I don’t really see anyone bashing Jrue either…besides Yang, he’ll likely be my favorite player this year…

The FO is the heart of the matter. Stockpiling starting old guards when two lotto pick guards in their 3rd and 4th seasons either shows 1 of 2 things, IMO:

1) Both Scoot and Sharpe don’t have the upside that the FO originally hoped. i.e. they botched those picks.

2) The FO doesn’t trust Scoot and Sharpe to contribute to consistent, winning basketball.

I guess both can be true.

IMHO, it’s simpler than that. They needed another guard to replace Simons—trades were very limited and Jrue fits the defensive thing…and getting Lillard on the roster again is a fan and cash boon for the franchise, regardless if he ever plays at a high level again.

None of that is Jrue’s fault. In fact, a player with his resume that hasn’t shown a single public sign of issue with coming to a non-playoff team in a small market, deserves a nodvof commendation…

3) The FO thinks it needs 4 guards

4) The FO thinks that the addition of Jrue and Dame will help the long-term development of Sharpe & Scoot.

5) The FO thinks that the contract terms of Scoot and Sharpe aren't max contracts at this time.

6) The FO wanted to double down on Defense.

I think the bashing is the FO decision on bringing Jrue and Dame given where the team is at at this time.

My take is that we are just going to have to see how it plays out. Given the history of this FO - I am skeptical.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Anyone go to FanFest today? Wondering what Yang sang and what people thought of the team.

[Shem]

Fan Fest highlight.

Read on Twitter

[DusterBuster]

Reports are emerging the Blazers are trying to get Sharpe onto a 20-25mil per year deal similar to Giddy.

[tester551]

Reports are emerging the Blazers are trying to get Sharpe onto a 20-25mil per year deal similar to Giddy.

Where are you seeing this information?

[dckingsfan]

Reports are emerging the Blazers are trying to get Sharpe onto a 20-25mil per year deal similar to Giddy.

Where are you seeing this information?

https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/portland-trail-blazers/news/trail-blazers-shaedon-sharpe-90-million-contract-update/b5592611bf493aa65d75b225

Watch on YouTube

[DusterBuster]

Reports are emerging the Blazers are trying to get Sharpe onto a 20-25mil per year deal similar to Giddy.

Where are you seeing this information?

Video explains it, but reporting comes from Jake Fisher. Richman does a good job of summing Fisher up as a guy who's more of the "how the sausage is made" reporter vs a news breaker like Shams/Woj reporter. He has a lot of news about what talks are happening, but as we've seen from some insider posters here as well, just because of you have news of what's being discussed one day doesn't mean that's what will happen.

So seems fair to say the Blazers want Sharpe on a 20ish mil per deal. Seems to be the going rate for these level of young guys who show really good potential but are still a questionmark if they'll take that next step people think they have in them.

[Wizenheimer]

Reports are emerging the Blazers are trying to get Sharpe onto a 20-25mil per year deal similar to Giddy.

Where are you seeing this information?

Video explains it, but reporting comes from Jake Fisher. Richman does a good job of summing Fisher up as a guy who's more of the "how the sausage is made" reporter vs a news breaker like Shams/Woj reporter. He has a lot of news about what talks are happening, but as we've seen from some insider posters here as well, just because of you have news of what's being discussed one day doesn't mean that's what will happen.

So seems fair to say the Blazers want Sharpe on a 20ish mil per deal. Seems to be the going rate for these level of young guys who show really good potential but are still a questionmark if they'll take that next step people think they have in them.

well, if it's a Giddey level deal, that's 25M/year

looking at Sharpe's draft class - lottery:

1 - Banchero....5 year max deal @ 48M/year
2 - Holmgren....5 year max deal @ 48M/year
3 - Jabari Smith....5 year deal at 24.4M/year
4 - Keegan Murray....no extension yet
5 - Jaden Ivey....no extension yet
6 - Benedict Mathurin....no extension yet
7 - Sharpe....no extension yet
8 - Dyson Daniels....no extension yet
9 - Jeremy Sochan....no extension yet
10 - Johnny Davis (bust)....no extension yet
11- Osumane Dieng....no extension yet
12 - Jalen Williams....5 year max deal at 48M/year
13 - Jalen Duren....no extension yet
14 - Ochai Ogbaji....no extension yet

27 - Nikola Jovic....4 year deal at 15.6M

so basically, 3 players signed for the rookie supermax. And one player, Jabari Smith, signed for a level of contract that Sharpe might get....unless he goes crazy this season and becomes Portland's best player.

unless there's a flood of players signing extensions in the next 2 weeks, Sharpe would be entering restricted free agency at the same time a a lot of players. I'm also wondering, going by the Giddey/Kuminga/Cam Thomas stalemates this summer if at long last NBA front offices are holding the line against issuing albatross contracts for rookie extensions

the scary thing is that if the Blazers sign Sharpe for 25M/year, it could be a real bargain....or a regretful signing.

[oldfishermen]

Where are you seeing this information?

Video explains it, but reporting comes from Jake Fisher. Richman does a good job of summing Fisher up as a guy who's more of the "how the sausage is made" reporter vs a news breaker like Shams/Woj reporter. He has a lot of news about what talks are happening, but as we've seen from some insider posters here as well, just because of you have news of what's being discussed one day doesn't mean that's what will happen.

So seems fair to say the Blazers want Sharpe on a 20ish mil per deal. Seems to be the going rate for these level of young guys who show really good potential but are still a questionmark if they'll take that next step people think they have in them.

well, if it's a Giddey level deal, that's 25M/year

looking at Sharpe's draft class - lottery:

1 - Banchero....5 year max deal @ 48M/year
2 - Holmgren....5 year max deal @ 48M/year
3 - Jabari Smith....5 year deal at 24.4M/year
4 - Keegan Murray....no extension yet
5 - Jaden Ivey....no extension yet
6 - Benedict Mathurin....no extension yet
7 - Sharpe....no extension yet
8 - Dyson Daniels....no extension yet
9 - Jeremy Sochan....no extension yet
10 - Johnny Davis (bust)....no extension yet
11- Osumane Dieng....no extension yet
12 - Jalen Williams....5 year max deal at 48M/year
13 - Jalen Duren....no extension yet
14 - Ochai Ogbaji....no extension yet

27 - Nikola Jovic....4 year deal at 15.6M

so basically, 3 players signed for the rookie supermax. And one player, Jabari Smith, signed for a level of contract that Sharpe might get....unless he goes crazy this season and becomes Portland's best player.

unless there's a flood of players signing extensions in the next 2 weeks, Sharpe would be entering restricted free agency at the same time a a lot of players. I'm also wondering, going by the Giddey/Kuminga/Cam Thomas stalemates this summer if at long last NBA front offices are holding the line against issuing albatross contracts for rookie extensions

the scary thing is that if the Blazers sign Sharpe for 25M/year, it could be a real bargain....or a regretful signing.

Very interesting.

It appears the new CBA has sharpe teeth, making GMs cautious. The days of players/agents demanding, show me the money. Have turned into GMs demanding, show me the game..

How the contract for Dyson Daniels plays out, may have a big impact on the future contracts of this Blazers roster.

No GM wants, nor can afford, another J. Grant situation. If they want to contend.

Sharpe at $20M-25M per year feels right.

[PDXKnight]

Video explains it, but reporting comes from Jake Fisher. Richman does a good job of summing Fisher up as a guy who's more of the "how the sausage is made" reporter vs a news breaker like Shams/Woj reporter. He has a lot of news about what talks are happening, but as we've seen from some insider posters here as well, just because of you have news of what's being discussed one day doesn't mean that's what will happen.

So seems fair to say the Blazers want Sharpe on a 20ish mil per deal. Seems to be the going rate for these level of young guys who show really good potential but are still a questionmark if they'll take that next step people think they have in them.

well, if it's a Giddey level deal, that's 25M/year

looking at Sharpe's draft class - lottery:

1 - Banchero....5 year max deal @ 48M/year
2 - Holmgren....5 year max deal @ 48M/year
3 - Jabari Smith....5 year deal at 24.4M/year
4 - Keegan Murray....no extension yet
5 - Jaden Ivey....no extension yet
6 - Benedict Mathurin....no extension yet
7 - Sharpe....no extension yet
8 - Dyson Daniels....no extension yet
9 - Jeremy Sochan....no extension yet
10 - Johnny Davis (bust)....no extension yet
11- Osumane Dieng....no extension yet
12 - Jalen Williams....5 year max deal at 48M/year
13 - Jalen Duren....no extension yet
14 - Ochai Ogbaji....no extension yet

27 - Nikola Jovic....4 year deal at 15.6M

so basically, 3 players signed for the rookie supermax. And one player, Jabari Smith, signed for a level of contract that Sharpe might get....unless he goes crazy this season and becomes Portland's best player.

unless there's a flood of players signing extensions in the next 2 weeks, Sharpe would be entering restricted free agency at the same time a a lot of players. I'm also wondering, going by the Giddey/Kuminga/Cam Thomas stalemates this summer if at long last NBA front offices are holding the line against issuing albatross contracts for rookie extensions

the scary thing is that if the Blazers sign Sharpe for 25M/year, it could be a real bargain....or a regretful signing.

Very interesting.

It appears the new CBA has sharpe teeth, making GMs cautious. The days of players/agents demanding, show me the money. Have turned into GMs demanding, show me the game..

How the contract for Dyson Daniels plays out, may have a big impact on the future contracts of this Blazers roster.

No GM wants, nor can afford, another J. Grant situation. If they want to contend.

Sharpe at $20M-25M per year feels right.

I agree. I was worries about anywhere north of 25 but at 20-25 ill gladly take a flyer on him living up to his athleticism