I’m willing to accept Cronin’s plausible explanations of what he was looking to do — and “failed” to get done (whether he truly was offering everything he could/should) — and then moved on from both Dame and CJ and Nurk during the two-track/path/whatever it was … So I don’t know how much truth or falsity has been in his statements, and I too don’t care as much about that as compared to actions. The Blazers got younger, positionally bigger and have Shaedon, Scoot, and 2 lottery picks to be named later to continue the rebuild. I’m interested to see which trades get done of players who don’t fit the rebuild — as presently under construction. [I won’t bother to list the usual, veteran suspects.]. Scoot and Shaedon MAY be dudes for this team. Swing away in the draft and get dudes.
Chauncey stated we got to be better next year? Is that a politicly correct statement or he's sick of losing like this? 3 years.
Sick of losing? Yes Politically correct about not wanting to be seen as the tank commander? Yes. I want to see growth in individual players — Scoot, Shaedon, Kris, Toumani — especially. Ayton playing the role that he can and consistently. That’s “being better.” And losing massively. One. More. Year.
You said transparency! You did! Since when does the word transparency = ‘rumor mill’? pick a different word!
We definitely need more potential dudes and less aging role players. We already have young potential role players in Tou, Bari, Kris, Deandre and hell if they don't hit their upsides even Scoot and Shae. Swing away and get dudes for sure... for sure.
I'm pretty skeptical Utah would want both Kessler + Clingan but if Clingan slips to 7, and the Blazers are interested in trading down: with Chicago: #7 for #11 + Portland's pick back + future lottery protected 1st? too much? with Memphis: #7 for #9 + whatever the value is for moving up 2 slots? with OKC: moving up from 12 to 7 in a lottery is a significant jump so I'd hope the Blazers could squeeze at least one future 1st and a couple of 2nd's out of their massive collection. I wonder if they'd be interested in a Grant for Giddey + more picks addition (after July 1)
I'd swap places with the Jazz for Kessler. Kessler is the better prospect and likely better long-term NBA player. 7 (Clingan) for Kessler + 10 (Williams)
What have we done that indicates that the team has intended to tank? It traded Dame, but we ended up with veterans (Williams, Brogdan) that we've held onto. We re-signed Grant and Thybulle. By picking Sharpe and Scoot, we've indicated we're not willing to sacrifice the future for the present, but that's not the same as being committed to a tank/rebuild. We have not rushed back our injured guys, which I guess is in-season tanking, but I am not personally convinced that Cronin and the Blazers are willing to intentionally go through the pain that a tank/rebuild will actually take.
Not that I am advocating for Clingan, but out of those 3 I think Reath could do it. Not against every team, but a lot of them.
I would trade Ayton in a heartbeat if we got Clingan -- He might not be any better and taking out the money factor at least he would give it his all 100% unlike Ayton who I think we are lucky if we get 100% -- 25 to 50% of the time
