NBA/Blazers 2025-26 Thread

[squintsdd]

Phalanx, if I didn't know any better I'd say you don't know a damn thing about Tom Dundon or Joe Cronin. (Which I know isn't true.)

Joe Cronin traded for Ja Morant because it was the only move he could pull off. He's not a great GM, and I don't know how much more evidence we need to agree on this. Nobody else wanted Ja, so we picked him up. Simple as that. Additionally, Cronin has never drafted/traded with much respect for roster construction. He values talent above all else. We've seen this again and again and again. Drafting Scoot at #3 while trying to keep Damian Lillard (which happened, even if you don't want to believe it did) is Exhibit A. Remember, Cronin is a disciple of the Neil Olshey GM tree, and Olshey's ideal roster featured three guards and poor balance.

And then there's Tom Dundon. Dude's a winner and he wants to win now. Do you honestly believe he's playing Scoot or Shaedon over DAMIAN LILLARD? I know you hate Lillard but come on man, be real. Shaedon Sharpe is the biggest disappointment on the team, and Scoot is still a high-end backup point guard at best. Dame, Ja, and Jrue are all-stars. If Dame is healthy enough to begin the season as a starter then he's not getting benched for Scoot Henderson. To believe otherwise is laughable.

Despite Cronin's incompetence I'd still be shocked of Jrue is on the roster to start the season. He should be packaged and shipped out for a true wing player.

I partially agree with this take. I think Scoot, and likely Sharpe will get traded at some point. They're both still young and on rookie contracts, but neither has shown that they're capable of being everyday starters. Cronin might be able to convince someone that they still have upside do to their age, but we all know that they've pretty much maxed out their potential at this point. It could be argued that they're hoping morant gets his s*** together and hoping he ends up being the point guard of the future. Don't forget, he's only 26. I think holiday is staying. He's a steady presence and arguably the best defensive player on the team, which is seriously lacking at the guard position right now.

Cronin being a terrible gm? Yeah I agree with that. This might be his best offseason yet, and that's only because he actually made a risky trade that doesn't fit a team need, so that says just how good he is. It's hard to believe he couldn't have pulled off a better trade to fit team needs, but who knows, maybe he'll find something for Sharpe and the draft picks. I'm not counting on it though.

I think Lillard will get plenty of playing time only because there's potential for him to become a malcontent of he didn't get what he wants. It's not really like him to be a locker room issue, but let's not forget that he pretty much demanded out when Portland drafted Scoot.

[pezsez1]

Just saw a tweet that Coach Nori is on his way to LA to talk to Jrue about his new role and to assure him that he'll still be used productively on the team. So that means he's probably not getting traded. Assume this is simply about discussing his role off the bench.

Also, I'm sure Scoot will get minutes throughout the season. Dame, Jrue and Ja have all had significant injury issues. Also Scoot is probably our best young trade piece, and we'll want to make sure he has just enough time to showcase his growth before the trade deadline (if he's still on the roster going into the season).

[Phalanx]

Not sure how anyone can read these tweets and conclude that they are good news for Lillard.

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Here is the article in question:


https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/741318 ... ons-lunch/?

[bellsduck]

Now, re: Dame, our new coach told The Athletic that Dame will be starting if he's ready to play the minutes. In his interview with the team, he'd pitched Jru and Scoot starting (pre-Ja trade) before he knew of Dame's status. Cronin had Dame sit in on the interview, and Dame was surprised to hear that & assured the coach he was ready to go, and the coach told him "If you can walk, you will start." That's what the coach told the media.

https://www.blazersedge.com/trail-blaze ... view-story

So yeah, anyone fantasizing about Dame being a glorified mascot is going to be disappointed. He's either our second-best player right now, or he will be after a few weeks back in the saddle, assuming his rehab is on schedule.

Thanks for linking this, I never saw it when it was posted. I do not doubt that Lillard will start some games if he is physically able to go, especially at the beginning of the season. Like I said above, he is being promoted to sell tickets. That's why he is here. It would be a huge waste of $28 million if they didn't squeeze Lillard for all he is worth. Have you bought your season tickets yet, Pez? Don't read the rest of this before you do...

Okay, now that Pez has purchased the Damian Lillard family package, let me just point out a few things. First of all, Scoot is in a contract year. That means the Blazers are negotiating with him as the point guard of the future. If they want him to sign a deal, he has to play. He won't stick around if he doesn't even get minutes over a hobbled, 36-year-old has-been. Shaedon is under contract, so they can crap all over his minutes for now, plus he was in Tiago's doghouse about something during the playoffs. Scoot needs to play, and his position is point guard.

Second, listen to actions over words, and follow the money. Ja and Jrue are the two highest-paid players on the team; they make nearly $80 million between them this season, and they both have two years left on their contracts. They are both career point guards. You cite an interview that happened sometime in June...and Then They Went And Traded For Ja Morant. Why did they do that if they actually expected Lillard to 'start and finish games' and 'play more than 24 minutes per game'? When that article was written, Jrue was purportedly on the trade market, then they made a point of taking him off the market. Why did they do that if Lillard is getting all the minutes? Jrue makes $35 million this year and we have already established that Dundon is a cost-conscious owner. Why would he keep Jrue if he wasn't going to play?

Ja and Jrue are playing. Scoot is playing. So where does that leave Lillard, the guy they have the least amount invested in? I'll tell you where. He will be front and center on media days. He will be on all the posters. They will play him early in the season and then one of several things will happen, either: A. He is obviously not the same player and stinks up the court, or B. He gets injured like he has been the past five years, or C. He finds a more organic role playing into his strengths as a spot-up shooter off the bench and shooting free throws at the end of games. If Lillard is getting significant minutes in this situation, it means they gave up on Scoot as their future point guard. Even if that happens, he still has to play in order to evaluate him. There is no way Lillard is getting big minutes on this team. It would be lunacy.

Expect to see Lillard get some play early, and then as the season progresses, Ja and Scoot will be the ones floating to the top, with Jrue playing his usual role as the glue behind the scenes, showing everyone how to play basketball.

This is the way it should be.