The Rebuilding Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard’s Departure and Portland’s New Direction

The loss of one leg of the duo formed by Lillard and McCollum on which Portland has bet so much in recent years has been followed by its complete annihilation. The first was left alone in charge when CJ left for the Pelicans and swore that he would try to win the championship on the Oregon team. The loyalty that is missed in so many cases was Damian, it was Lillard. His summer mess, asking to leave (although he said he wouldn’t) the franchise that put him on the map, has led to a new and exciting destination, the Milwaukee Bucks, and a new time in the Trail Blazers.

The outlook seemed bleak. The team remains on standby in terms of ownership, with Paul Allen’s heiress (Jody, sister) rejecting offers like the Nike founder’s to sell. The squad had reached its limit and the change on the bench, from Stotts to Billups, must be seen more in the long run. But, friends, the magic has arrived.

And they can still squeeze more out of this movement. The phones continue to ring in the Portland offices to complete the initial idea, for which they are well on their way, even before the season begins. There are still a few weeks until it is time to adjust the roster to start the NBA and some names of those who have participated in this important transfer may not count. What can already be proclaimed is the cunning with which Joe Cronin (general manager) and his assistants have played their cards to bring the best result to the Trail Blazers.

RELATED | They take DeAndre Ayton (Phoenix)

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The return made by Damian Lillard has been huge if we rewind and see what point the negotiation was with the Miami Heat, the team to which the Oakland point guard wanted to leave. The aggressiveness of both parties, the failure to give in, ended up breaking the rope that held their options together. Milwaukee, seeing the order sent by Giannis Antetokounmpo to return to the point in 2021 where they won the NBA, included one of its mainstays, Holiday, along with other secondary instruments and Portland accepted knowing that the operation was appropriate. And they have reused Jrue to get draft picks, which in a rebuilding team are always welcome (you know: “trust the process”).

What’s coming in Portland without Lillard

DeAndre Ayton, the big catch achieved in Lillard’s first trade with the Suns involved, will be the main center and thus can redeem himself from his role in Phoenix. We are talking about number one in the 2018 Draft, in which he was above Luka Doncic. But there has been another interior recruit, Robert Williams, who will also stay in the team despite having a similar profile to his new teammate. The latter comes from a Finals with the Celtics but also from numerous physical problems at only 25 years old. The two of them, a very good couple.

The name that dances, and this is how it explains it Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN) In the update of the Blazers’ plan that was recently offered, it is that of Malcolm Brogdon, landed from Boston in that second part of the Dame transfer. He marveled at the Bucks and Pacers, but he has lived with irregularity and has not met the expectations placed on him. Entering his thirties he will also be included in possible transfer packages if Portland accepts an offer that satisfies him. The return, again, will be the key; Only knowing they won the move would they let the point guard go.

Jerami Grant, another of those who is permanently on the market, signed a 160 million dollar contract this summer and should be the link between the youngest players and some veteran who contributes to the team. Because he is betting on less expert, at least in this year of transition to who knows where. Henderson and Simons will be the managers that Billups, champion in 2004, must train. Sharpe and Murray, likewise, will have a good amount of minutes. Thybulle, to vindicate yourself. Badji and Camara, waiting.

2023-10-04 09:56:38
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