The Portland Trail BlazersESPN sources said that Joe Cronin has been promoted to general manger with a four year contract.
Cronin is appointed to the Blazers’ top spot, an offseason that includes a top-10 pick, $21 million in trade exception, and the possibility of extending three of the team’s top players, including All-Star player All-Star. Damian Lillard, Anfernee SimonsAnd Josh Hart.
Cronin has been managing the franchise since December. He executed several deadline deals, which started a complete remake of the roster around Lillard.
The Portland ownership was open to the idea of opening the job up for a search, but they ultimately chose Cronin’s vision and ability to execute it. Sources said that Cronin is the preferred choice. Cronin has made it clear that he will continue to build the roster around Lillard who is an All-NBA Guard.
Cronin was an internal favorite to replace Neil Olshey who reached the Western Conference playoffs in eight consecutive seasons. This included two Western Conference semifinals, and a berth at the 2019 conference finals.
Cronin was promoted to assistant general manager in 2021. He started as an intern, and worked his way up through four leadership levels to become the most important decision-maker in basketball operations.
Cronin’s close relationship with Chauncey, first-year basketball coach, played an important role in the franchise’s belief in a philosophical alignment that will propel them forward in basketball operations.
The Blazers (27-55) have the sixth best draft odds to rise to the No. The Blazers are the number one overall draft pick. The Chicago draft lottery takes place on May 17, 2017.