Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin and his staff will proceed through the offseason seeking to improve the team with no restrictions despite the franchise going up for sale on Wednesday, an NBA source has told The Oregonian/OregonLive.
The NBA scouting combine is underway in Chicago, Illinois, where Cronin, front office staff and coach Chauncey Billups analyze players ahead of the June 25-26 NBA draft.
The Blazers received the No. 11 pick during Monday night’s lottery. On Tuesday, Paul Allen’s estate announced that the franchise was for sale, starting a process that could extend into next season.
A new owner could make staff changes and reset the franchise.
Both Cronin and Billups received contract extensions at the end of the season (36-46), but that doesn’t guarantee job security following a sale. Instead, it could require making a run into the 2026 postseason.
Terms of Cronin’s deal were not disclosed. Billups’ contract now runs through the 2027-28 season.
The Blazers fell three games short of reaching the play-in last season after going 23-18 during the season’s second half.
Cronin has decisions to make regarding the futures of veterans, guard Anfernee Simons and centers Deandre Ayton and Robert Williams III. All three have one year remaining on their respective contracts.
The future of forward Jerami Grant, who has two years remaining on his deal and a player option, is also in doubt following the emergence of forwards Toumani Camara and Deni Avdija.
Much of what happens with executives and coaches following the sale of a franchise depends on the team’s direction.
Portland Trail Blazers v Utah Jazz
Head coach Chauncey Billups of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on April 09, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah.(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)Getty Images
The Charlotte Hornets were sold for $3 billion in 2023, and by March of 2024, they hired Jeff Peterson as executive vice president of basketball operations. Two months later, in May, Peterson hired coach Charles Lee to replace Steve Clifford, who stepped down.
The Hornets went 48-116 under Clifford.
The sale of the Phoenix Suns for $4 billion was also completed in 2023. New owner Mat Ishbia retained general manager James Jones for two seasons before replacing him May 1 with Brian Gregory. Jones is now a senior advisor with the franchise.
The Suns changed coaches in Ishbia’s first full season, hiring Frank Vogel. The team went 49-33 under Vogel but replaced him with Mike Budenholzer this season.
The Suns went 36-46 and missed the postseason, leading to Jones’ demotion and Budenholzer’s firing. A new coach has not yet been named.
The Dallas Mavericks changed ownership in 2023 and have since retained coach Jason Kidd and general manager Nico Harrison, despite missing the playoffs this season following the controversial trade of star guard Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Blazers improved this season after going 21-61 in 2023-24.
Cronin and Billups might need to take the franchise another step forward next season to remain secure in their jobs.
A step backward could open the door for a new owner to hire new front office staff and coaches.
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)