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

Breaking down the deal for Damian Lillard

Everyone in the NBA knew that the Blazers were going to move Damian Lillard this offseason. It was only a matter of when and how much the Miami Heat were going to give up for him. That was until Cronin played “Let’s Make a Deal” with the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns instead.

Cronin seemed to have followed the trade blueprints used by the Jazz and Nets. Here’s a summary of the three-team deal that featured Lillard from the Portland perspective:

• Out: Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little
• In: Jrue Holliday, DeAndre Ayton, Toumani Camara, Bucks 2029 first-round Pick, Pick Swaps in 2028 & 2030

Portland got a young player who arguably has All-Star potential- in Ayton, a first-round pick, and pick swaps. The difference between this deal and those of the Jazz and Nets – Cronin got a proven All-Star back in Jrue Holiday.

I gave Cronin and the Blazers a “B” for their return for Damian Lillard last week. I also wrote that grade could be bumped to an “A” if he were able to get even more in return later.

Later came four days later.

Cronin then sent Holiday to the Boston Celtics for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, Golden State’s 2024 first-round pick, and their first-round pick in 2029. He could even potentially move Brogdon in yet ANOTHER deal! Here’s the updated total return the Blazers got for Damian Lillard:

• Total Out: Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little
• Total In: DeAndre Ayton, Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, Toumani Camara, Warriors 2024 first-round pick, Bucks 2029 first-round Pick, Celtics first-round pick, and Pick Swaps in 2028 & 2030 with the Bucks

Jrue Holiday was never really a Blazer. The team essentially flipped him for more assets.

Some (mostly Miami Heat fans) are criticizing the trade, saying the Blazers didn’t get enough in return for Damian Lillard. I disagree. Cronin isn’t just trying to collect assets. He’s trying to construct a young roster that can compete soon.

The Heat’s offer was rumored to include Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic, two first-round picks, and either Kyle Lowry or Duncan Robinson. The Raptors offer was rumored to include former Blazer Gary Trent, Jr., Chris Boucher, picks, and contract filler. Neither of those offers is better than what Cronin got.

The Blazers used the No. 3 pick in this year’s NBA draft on athletic guard Scoot Henderson, who is said to be in the mold of Derrick Rose and Russell Westbrook. Portland has another emerging star in 24-year-old guard Anfernee Simons. They are also high on second-year guard Shaedon Sharpe.

Why would the Blazers want to take on more guards to take minutes away from those three guys? Cronin also would not have received a return for Lowry as he did for Holiday. Plus, Toronto didn’t offer either OG Anunoby OR Scottie Barnes in a deal.

The Blazers could feature a five-man lineup of:

• Scoot Henderson
• Anfernee Simons
• Jerami Grant or Shaedon Sharpe
• Robert Williams III
• DeAndre Ayton

The 2023-24 Portland Trail Blazers will likely not be a playoff team. The Blazers did get younger and more athletic at all positions. They could be better than expected under head coach Chauncey Billups. Portland could surprise many like last year’s Jazz.

Cronin may not be done dealing yet either. He could also elect to move Brogdon and Grant during the season. It will be interesting to see what he could get in return for both veterans.

He may not have handled the entire trade process smoothly, but it’s tough to argue that Joe Cronin didn’t keep his word to Rip City. He did what was best for the Portland Trail Blazers. He took the best-reported offer on the table for Lillard and set them up for potential future success.

I’m not ready to give Cronin the NBA Executive of the Year award…yet. I am though ready to bump his trade return from a “B” to an “A.”