The Portland Trail Blazers are preparing for what could be a very interesting summer. Their goal is to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The non-profit has thus far signed binding contracts with 13 players for the new season. Though they went over the salary cap, they are still well under the luxury tax. That created a significant amount of financial flexibility for them to pursue new free agents or through trades to improve their roster.
They include Anfernee Simons, Matisse Thybulle, Robert Williams III and Deandre Ayton. This scenario provides the Trail Blazers with exceedingly powerful leverage in negotiation. They can give an additional two-year extensions to these players, totaling $128.4 million each.
The Trail Blazers are currently allowed to finish with a top-four first-round pick in this summer’s draft. Plus, they’ll have another mid-20s pick of their own. These assets are key because just like them, they want to build a competitive team. The management’s goal is clear: they seek to end their playoff drought and avoid being a team that occasionally qualifies for the postseason only to struggle in subsequent seasons.
On the court, this has been a rough season for the Trail Blazers, with a 13-28 record before January 18. The team’s performance was a bookend to their infuriating 21-61 season from a year ago. This slump led to two distinct 16-game losing streaks. The latter half of the season showed a sign of hope. Since January 13, the team has ranked second – yes, second – in defensive efficiency and first in opponent effective field goal percentage!
The roster’s youth plays a crucial role in the team’s future aspirations. With as many as seven players 23 or under, the Trail Blazers organizationally have shifted to a player development-first mentality. So as they attempt to find a foothold, General Manager Joe Cronin sounded optimistic about where they’re headed today.
“I love what we have. I love what we’ve been working on. I love how we’re developing.” – Joe Cronin
At the moment, with five first-round picks in the next seven NFL Drafts now at their disposal, they’re perfectly positioned to reshape their roster even more. This approach enforces the organization’s mission as established by ownership, highlighted by their exceptional basketball operations department. Its approach is driving long-term outcomes rather than just short-term solutions.
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