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Portland Trail Blazers: How Joe Cronin became the big winner of the offseason

By Manolis Olandezos

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 25: Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin walks towards the locker room before a game against the Utah Jazz at Moda Center on January 25, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 25: Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin walks towards the locker room before a game against the Utah Jazz at Moda Center on January 25, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images) /
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Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland Cavaliers Donovan Mitchell (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Joe Cronin followed previous star trade models

Getting a fair return for a franchise icon is never easy. Fortunately for Cronin, he could reference a pair of recent blockbuster trades to get a sense of a potential return for Damian Lillard.

Last summer, the Utah Jazz decided to trade their two All-Stars: guard Donovan Mitchell and center Rudy Gobert. Let’s focus on the Mitchell trade since he’s a high-scoring guard like Damian Lillard. Jazz GM Justin Zanik and CEO Danny Ainge traded Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers for the following:

  • Lauri Markkanen
  • Collin Sexton
  • Ochai Agbaji
  • Cleveland’s first-round picks in 2025, 2027, and 2029
  • Right to swap first-round picks with Cleveland in 2026 and 2028

The Jazz were able to get young players, first-round picks, and the right to swap first-round picks in future NBA drafts. Markkanen blossomed into a first-time All-Star. Sexton signed an extension and had a good season before suffering a hamstring injury. Agbaji showed some flashes during a solid rookie season.

Plus, the Jazz have all those first-round picks and swaps! If Mitchell brings a title to Cleveland that’s all worth it. Then again, the Cavs could drop in the Eastern Conference standings if he leaves Cleveland in two years. Those picks would look even better for the Jazz.

The Brooklyn Nets decided to make big changes at last season’s trade deadline. There was no shortage of drama in Brooklyn. The Nets were such a big soap opera that they made “The Young and the Restless” look like “Sesame Street.”

Despite the drama and being on their second coach of the season, the Nets had a 32-21 record in early February. They decided to move Kyrie Irving to the Dallas Mavericks. Then Kevin Durant wanted out. The Nets sent KD to Phoenix along with veteran T.J. Warren for the following:

  • Mikal Bridges
  • Cam Johnson
  • Jae Crowder
  • Four first-round picks (2023, 2025, 2027, 2029)
  • Right to swap first-round picks with Phoenix in 2028

The Nets received promising young players, first-round picks, and a future pick swap. Bridges played like an All-Star with Brooklyn. Both he and Johnson posted career-best scoring numbers as Nets. The Suns are built to win now. The 2027 and 2029 picks could be in the lottery.

If the Suns win a championship with Durant it will all be worth it. If not, Nets GM Sean Marks will look like a genius.

So how DID Joe Cronin do in his total return for Damian Lillard?

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