Notice Joe Cronin New GM

[PtldPlatypus]

One opinion I heard this morning is that since Cronin did "the dirty work" of unloading all Neil's long-term deals for peanuts--and clearly did so in a way that ownership approved of since they authorized the deals-- and took all the criticism that came along with that fire sale, that it would be bad management to not reward him with the permanent job.

I mean, I'm of the opinion that it's bad management not to talk to multiple people to ensure you have the best person for the goal you're trying to accomplish, but what do I know...?

 

[tykendo]

All these top GM's had to get there start somewhere, and were unproven at the time. I like this move. Cronin is using his whole staff, including coaches, to do the work, and come up with the best possible solutions for competing at the highest level. I look forward to seeing it develop. Just because you've been a top GM somewhere else, doesn't guaranty success at the new stop. I'm sure Danny Ainge is enjoying the Mitchell/Gobert situation. So blessings to Joe & his Team for success this offseason, and beyond. Go get'er done.

 

[Predator]

Wouldn’t you feel better today as a fan knowing the Blazers chose Cronin after listening to what Chicago’s Marc Eversley thinks? Or after the Blazers weighed Cronin’s plan against those of up-and-comers like Sacramento’s Wes Wilcox, Brooklyn’s Jeff Peterson, the Clippers’ Michael Winger or Memphis’ Chris Makris? Heck, do the bare minimum and listen to what old-school guys like Ed Stefanski or Jeff Bauer thought about the job.

Not one bit.

If that’s truly how you feel, that’s completely delusional thinking.

It essentially equates to, “Joe Cronin is so good we don’t need to even look at anyone else”.

 

[Predator]

One opinion I heard this morning is that since Cronin did "the dirty work" of unloading all Neil's long-term deals for peanuts--and clearly did so in a way that ownership approved of since they authorized the deals-- and took all the criticism that came along with that fire sale, that it would be bad management to not reward him with the permanent job.

I mean, I'm of the opinion that it's bad management not to talk to multiple people to ensure you have the best person for the goal you're trying to accomplish, but what do I know...?

I said it before but I think they had to essentially guarantee him the job since he would literally never get looked at again for a GM position after making those moves.

“Look, we know you’re going to look like sh1t so we’ll let you keep the job and actually prove what you can do… as long as you succeed at tearing this mf’er down”

 

[wizenheimer]

There are some in league circles who joke that Cronin was recently voted the MVP for the New Orleans Pelicans and LA Clippers for his deals that greatly enhanced his rivals while doing little for Portland aside from net “financial flexibility” and Josh Hart.

"greatly enhanced"...yeah right. Just like those same players greatly enhanced Portland into being a tax team while not being a contender. You'd think that if Powell and RoCo greatly enhanced the Clippers they would have enhanced them to a home play-in win over the Pels. And if CJ/Nance greatly enhanced the Pels they wouldn't have needed Paul George getting Covid to make the playoffs. CJ played 26 games for the Pels; they were 13-13. In the 26 games before CJ, the Pels were 14-12. Greatly enhanced on line 1

I'm also curious about who the "some in league circles" was? For all we know it was Olshey and a janitor

Those inside the Blazers say people around the league are telling them they did well in unloading the bloated salaries of CJ McCollum and Norman Powell and the creaky knees of Robert Covington.

well, we know it wasn't Olshey saying that but it's just as anonymous. It's a little more credible than the 'greatly enhanced' stuff though

 

[Hoopguru]

I think Joe and Chauncey will surround Dame with 1 trade for a vet and signed 1/2 year players, plus our lotto pick. I doubt we carry to many young players that need development. Maybe Watford sticks but besides the drat pick look for seasoned vets on short contracts. Its a three - four year plan for Dame.
The Milwaukee pick is in the back pocket.

 

[illmatic99]

well, we know it wasn't Olshey saying that but it's just as anonymous. It's a little more credible than the 'greatly enhanced' stuff though

Roco's creaky knees is a similarly ridiculous comment. When did he hurt his knees? He just signed a 2 yr extension with the Clips so clearly they didn't think it's noteworthy.

 

[wizenheimer]

One opinion I heard this morning is that since Cronin did "the dirty work" of unloading all Neil's long-term deals for peanuts--and clearly did so in a way that ownership approved of since they authorized the deals-- and took all the criticism that came along with that fire sale, that it would be bad management to not reward him with the permanent job.

I mean, I'm of the opinion that it's bad management not to talk to multiple people to ensure you have the best person for the goal you're trying to accomplish, but what do I know...?

if they didn't talk to anyone else it is bad management, although, considering the lack of structure, that goes directly to ownership

and it's really easy to say that at this point, Portland has bad ownership

 

[wizenheimer]

Roco's creaky knees is a similarly ridiculous comment. When did he hurt his knees? He just signed a 2 yr extension with the Clips so clearly they didn't think it's noteworthy.

maybe that was a misquote and it was about Nance's creaky knees?

 

[Wade Garrett]

Roco's creaky knees is a similarly ridiculous comment. When did he hurt his knees? He just signed a 2 yr extension with the Clips so clearly they didn't think it's noteworthy.

The problem with roco is his heart.(effort)
He has none.
roco is worthless, he will never (and never has) IMPROVED a team.
Sending him off was a fantastic move, no matter what the return was.

 

[tykendo]

I know this much, fans would have been frustrated if those players had stayed, and re-signed. It takes moves to make change. Joe & his Staff are on it. GM's don't rub each other's little friends too often. It's a cutthroat league. Joe & the Franchise want to succeed. Let's see what they can do over the next couple of off seasons. I choose the glass is half full approach.

 

[wizenheimer]

exactly my sentiment as well. there was nothing to be gained by rushing to make that CJ deal especially.

except Josh Hart, a 6th pick, and a 21M TPE

 

[Natebishop3]

why? because in 2015 when I started saying that the Blazers should fire Olshey because he was going to be the prince of mediocrity by going all-in on a Dame/CJ back court while wasting cap-space, I was the lone voice in the wilderness...the only passenger on the fire-olshey train. And I got shit-tons of abuse for that advocacy

Come on man... I have been begging to trade CJ since the Paul George rumors.

 

[Tince]

Nevermind.... I just have the other thread on ignore. LOL

4 hours later....

Come on man... I have been begging to trade CJ since the Paul George rumors.

You can't do this... well, I guess you can, because you just did. Now I can't take you at your word though!

 

[Stevenson]

At least when Paul was alive, you knew he was super committed to winning and that the team was his passion. It feels like we are the forgotten, unwanted step-child now. An absentee owner, no communication, a new, untried GM w/out even a search, a team soon to be on the auction block.

I hope Loyalty Lillard knows something that we don't because this looks like a recipe for, well, nothingness to me.

 

[hoopsjock]

If the team doesn't want to go too high in to the tax, it allows us to keep two of our better players. It opens up trade options with the TPE that weren't otherwise there. There doesn't have to be one specific move, but it's better to have the flexibility than locked in to a super expensive roster that isn't going anywhere.

Your point about the tax is a valid one, but if they use the TPE (say for Grant) and keep Hart isn't that the same or more financially than trading CJ this summer?

The other problem is that if a Rudy Gobert (just an example) level player with a big contract becomes available this summer it's really difficult for Portland to match salary in a trade.

They were already under the tax for this year before the CJ trade, so if the goal is to save tax in future years they pretty much have no shot at building a true contender around Dame. It's certainly possible and even logical that's the plan, but that would be really disappointing as a fan and this "flexibility" would go to waste.

 

[hoopsjock]

One opinion I heard this morning is that since Cronin did "the dirty work" of unloading all Neil's long-term deals for peanuts--and clearly did so in a way that ownership approved of since they authorized the deals-- and took all the criticism that came along with that fire sale, that it would be bad management to not reward him with the permanent job.

I mean, I'm of the opinion that it's bad management not to talk to multiple people to ensure you have the best person for the goal you're trying to accomplish, but what do I know...?

I do think Allen and Kolde threw Cronin under the bus after forcing him to make trades.

Still doesn't explain Cronin not being able to negotiate better pick protections or at the very least combining the two big trades to create a bigger trade exception.

 

[Pinwheel1]

At least when Paul was alive, you knew he was super committed to winning and that the team was his passion. It feels like we are the forgotten, unwanted step-child now. An absentee owner, no communication, a new, untried GM w/out even a search, a team soon to be on the auction block.

I hope Loyalty Lillard knows something that we don't because this looks like a recipe for, well, nothingness to me.

In the last year, both the Coach and GM have been fired and new ones hired. So I would not say they are forgotten. The fact that she does not get involved in the draft as much as Paul did (or other owners) is a plus IMO. Did they make a good choice with Chauncey? I think so. Did they make a good choice in Joe? We will find out soon enough.

One thing that bugs me (And this has nothing to do with your post) is the perception that the "Vulcans" are only interested in the "bottom line". I find this odd based on the fact that we have routinely ranked near the top for Team Salaries. Just because they thought it was wise to avoid the repeater tax they are all of a sudden cheap? I would not go as far as saying they are throwing money all over the place, but I would place them in the middle of the pack for owners willing to spend money.

 

[hoopsjock]

except Josh Hart, a 6th pick, and a 21M TPE

The Blazers' own pick is not an asset to the CJ trade. They could've tanked and sat him out the exact same way they did with everyone else. Or in your mind (jk), they could've played him and been even worse.

 

[hoopsjock]

In the last year, both the Coach and GM have been fired and new ones hired. So I would not say they are forgotten. The fact that she does not get involved in the draft as much as Paul did (or other owners) is a plus IMO. Did they make a good choice with Chauncey? I think so. Did they make a good choice in Joe? We will find out soon enough.

One thing that bugs me (And this has nothing to do with your post) is the perception that the "Vulcans" are only interested in the "bottom line". I find this odd based on the fact that we have routinely ranked near the top for Team Salaries. Just because they thought it was wise to avoid the repeater tax they are all of a sudden cheap? I would not go as far as saying they are throwing money all over the place, but I would place them in the middle of the pack for owners willing to spend money.

Yeah, if you're Jody would you have wanted to pay tax for the team the last 3 years? Moving forward I would probably take a "you gotta show me this team is worth it" approach if I was in her position. Let's hope that's all it was and that if the team does get back up on the rise she'll be willing to spend. The jury is still out on that though. That's why it doesn't make sense to not at least interview a few different candidates to get a few ideas on how to keep salary down while also still being competitive.

 

[Voodoo]

So why did we not interview any other candidates for GM? Is it maybe Cronin lack of experience is cheaper than going for an experience candidate? Just asking for a friend

If that’s the motivation @SlyPokerDog would have been even cheaper.

 

[Hoopguru]

How do we know fir certain there were no other interviews? Hope its not based off Quicks take.
Chauncey and Dame along with their plan is the reason for staying with Joe.

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

1. I’m glad Portland traded CJ and cleared the decks of the bigger contracts except Lillard. It’s done.
2. Not being a tax payer is a good thing this off-season.
3. Ingles signed early for less or not at all with cap hold.
4. EBEC traded, sent away for less, or ballast in a deadline trade. IMHO it’s one of the first 2.

Good luck, Joe, on the quick rebuild.

 

[wizenheimer]

The Blazers' own pick is not an asset to the CJ trade. They could've tanked and sat him out the exact same way they did with everyone else. Or in your mind (jk), they could've played him and been even worse.

I was talking more about the trade deadline deals in total. They would have had to sit CJ, Powell, Nance, and Roco. That would have been even more blatant. Instead they played Keon, Didi, & Hughes. Keeping the former guys, along with the injuries to Dame, Little, & Bledsoe would have left the no alternative but to play guys who could have added 'harmful' wins

I don't think holding on to any of those guys till summer was an option. I think the Vulcans were pushing for trades at the deadline. I also don't buy the idea, at all, that Portland could have a got a better return for CJ, Powell & Nance in the summer. I think the opposite would have been true considering the need to re-sign Simons and Nurkic

 

[TBpup]

How do we know fir certain there were no other interviews? Hope its not based off Quicks take.
Chauncey and Dame along with their plan is the reason for staying with Joe.

Quick was basing that on talking to multiple agents from my understanding.

 

[STOMP]

If I was a GM I'd try to fleece him more than I would other GMs. Look for every trade to be an overpay.

Don't you think thats always the hope/motivation in every single trade? My guess is at the time that most trades are consummated, most every GM in the history of sports thinks he's taken advantage of the other guy.

While Joe hasn't done anything to win my confidence, who knows the parameters that he's operated underneath. I did not like the two trades, at all. However, they did set up some flexibility. I remain hopeful as he hasn't shit and reshit the bed like Soapy Olshey did.

STOMP

 

[julius]

So for all of you who say CJ should have gotten more in return, check out this trade.


Traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder with Abdel Nader to the Phoenix Suns for Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio and a 2022 1st round draft pick.


The player traded by OKC?

Chris Paul.

Ty Jerome? Meh. Jalen Lecque the hell is that guy? Kelly Oubre? Meh. Rickey was traded immediately.

So basically Chris Paul was traded for Tye Jerome and a 1st round pick. Oubre was traded away, Jalen was traded away for someone who was waived, Ricky was traded away.

 

[Phatguysrule]

So for all of you who say CJ should have gotten more in return, check out this trade.


Traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder with Abdel Nader to the Phoenix Suns for Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio and a 2022 1st round draft pick.


The player traded by OKC?

Chris Paul.

Ty Jerome? Meh. Jalen Lecque the hell is that guy? Kelly Oubre? Meh. Rickey was traded immediately.

So basically Chris Paul was traded for Tye Jerome and a 1st round pick. Oubre was traded away, Jalen was traded away for someone who was waived, Ricky was traded away.

Glad we don't have Presti...

 

[hoopsjock]

So for all of you who say CJ should have gotten more in return, check out this trade.


Traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder with Abdel Nader to the Phoenix Suns for Ty Jerome, Jalen Lecque, Kelly Oubre Jr., Ricky Rubio and a 2022 1st round draft pick.


The player traded by OKC?

Chris Paul.

Ty Jerome? Meh. Jalen Lecque the hell is that guy? Kelly Oubre? Meh. Rickey was traded immediately.

So basically Chris Paul was traded for Tye Jerome and a 1st round pick. Oubre was traded away, Jalen was traded away for someone who was waived, Ricky was traded away.

They got another 1st for Oubre and attached Rubio to late 1sts to move up to 17. But you think that trade is bad, the previous off season they paid OKC multiple 1sts just to take CP3. So in essence the Thunder ended up with 4 1sts, a move up in the 1st, and pick swaps for CP3.

This means nothing to what the Pelicans were willing to give up.

 

[julius]

They got another 1st for Oubre and attached Rubio to late 1sts to move up to 17. But you think that trade is bad, the previous off season they paid OKC multiple 1sts just to take CP3. So in essence the Thunder ended up with 4 1sts, a move up in the 1st, and pick swaps for CP3.

This means nothing to what the Pelicans were willing to give up.

Kelly Oubres transactions

"Traded by the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Golden State Warriors for a 2021 2nd round draft pick (Miles McBride was later selected) and a 2021 2nd round draft pick (Aaron Wiggins was later selected). 2021 2nd-rd pick is DEN own, Golden State also received a trade exception. (2021 1st-rd pick (GSW own) is top 20 protected, will turn into 2021 2nd-rd pick (MIN own) if it does not convey. Did not convey 2021)."

Show me where that was a 1st round pick.

Wasn't the 1st round that Rubio was traded for, by another team *after* the Thunder traded him?