One expert is already naming general manager Joe Cronin his pick for manager of the year.
The Portland Trail Blazers made their second major trade of the week by sending recently requested Jrue Holiday to the Boston Celtics. In return, the Blazers received Robert Williams III, Malcolm Brogdon, a 2024 first-round pick from the Golden State Warriors and a 2029 first-round pick from the Celtics.
Many publications and authors agree to the deal. Here’s a look at Portland’s latest report card.
Zach Harper is fascinated by Williams and Ayton
Zach Harper of The Athletic [subscription required] gave the Blazers an A- for the trade, but specifically emphasized how interested he was in the fit and versatility of centers Deandre Ayton and Williams playing together.
A pick-and-roll with Scoot Henderson as the initiator, Williams as the vertical threat roller, and Ayton in the dunker’s spot or stretched for a dump-off or short little jumper could be a difficult play for opponents to stop while they do We are surrounded by outdoor shots to keep our distance. None of these fits are perfect, but they are intriguing. That’s part of what you want when it comes to a rebuild.
Harper mentioned that this trade is essentially part of the Damian Lillard trade and that it is impossible to look at this deal on its own without considering the original trade. He said the return of Lillard, aided by this trade and a possible future Brogdon trade, is a great outcome for the Blazers.
CBS Sports loves the future assets
Jasmyn Wimbish of CBS Sports gave the Blazers an A in the deal. She talked about the future assets the Blazers acquired through the Lillard deal and increased through this subsequent trade.
As a standalone trade, this was already a solid deal for the Blazers, and when you factor in the rest of what Portland received from the Lillard trade, this is a home run. It fills Portland’s war chest for the future and also keeps the company semi-competitive right now.
The Blazers now own the rights to the Warriors’ 2024 pick, the Celtics’ and Bucks’ first-round picks in 2029, and first-round pick swap rights with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030.
Sports Illustrated honors Cronin
Rohan Nadkarni of Sports Illustrated gave Portland an A- for the deal. He also credited Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin for his patience and finding a market for Lillard when it seemed like there wasn’t one.
Joe Cronin deserves credit for his patience and creating a market for checkers when for months it seemed like Miami was the only game in town. And I still think there’s more room for the Blazers here.
Nadkarni mentions that the haul is good for Lillard, but that it may not even be ready yet after reports of Brogdon purchasing the Blazers.
ESPN likes the pick package
ESPN+’s Kevin Pelton [subscription required] rated the Blazers an A- for their trade with the Celtics. Pelton mentioned the difficulty of separating this trade and grade from the Lillard trade as a whole, but said the picks Portland received from both trades could help them have a good chance if at least one goes down.
However, the real benefit of this deal for Portland is the diversification of the team’s draft pick portfolio. The three additional first-rounders the Blazers added in their two contracts are from three different teams, giving Portland multiple chances to win the lottery.
Brad Botkin goes one step further
Saving the best for last, at least when it comes to optimism for Portland, we bring you CBS Sports’ Brad Botkin and his latest column. Botkin didn’t give the Blazers a grade. Instead, Botkin issued a statement after criticizing Miami Heat fans for the delusions they displayed for most of the summer: Cronin should be named NBA Executive of the Year for the upcoming season.
In other words, just shut up, Heat Homer. Cronin played it perfectly and in my eyes has already been named top manager of the year. I mean, in addition to all the future assets he’s banked, the guy has put up something in Henderson that could be an All-NBA point guard and still has a team that can actually compete while Henderson and Sharpe to evolve.
In fact, the Blazers look like last year’s Jazz, who filled their war chest with Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert trades while putting a surprisingly competitive team on the field. Look at the top of the Blazers’ roster: Henderson, Sharpe, Simons, Jerami Grant, Ayton, Williams, Brogdon, Matisse Thybulle and Kris Murray.
To sum it all up, Portland’s report card for the industry is A-, A, A-, A- and an early endorsement for Cronin’s Executive of the Year campaign.
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