Oct 25, 2024; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin smiles as players warm up before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-Imagn Images Soobum Im-Imagn Images

Blazers GM Says This Season is 'Winning Time' For Portland

Originally posted on Portland Trail Blazers on SI
By Ryan Stano | Last updated Jul 26, 2025 2:00 PM ET

The Portland Trail Blazers were hoping to make the playoffs this past season, despite not making any moves at the trade deadline. They ended up falling just short of that goal.

Portland has made some moves this offseason to help reach that goal next season, including trading for Jrue Holiday and signing Damian Lillard, although Lillard won't be playing at all next year.

The Trail Blazers have some young guys in the starting lineup, but Joe Cronin isn't worried about that. he believes that now is the time for the team to start winning.

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Cronin is confident in the team that he has been able to put together.

Joe Cronin: "It's winning time now for the Trail Blazers. Chauncey and I have been saying that since last season."
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 22, 2025

Head coach Chauncey Billups is hoping that his young team is going to be able to handle the pressures of trying to actually win enough to make the playoffs instead of living in the lottery.

Cronin is hoping that Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe are able to make a bit of a leap to lead the backcourt with some help from Holiday. The center position is the greatest question.

Donovan Clingan is likely slotted to be the starting center heading into next season, even with Robert Williams III still on the roster. Clingan can be counted on to play more than Williams III, even though Clingan had injury issues in his rookie year.

The Blazers also feel great about Yang Hansen, who could end up being the backup center by the time the season ends. He has a lot of potential, especially with his passing and shot blocking.

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Hansen is a good player, but he needs time to develop as a player. The Blazers are relying on a lot of young players to step up in order to make the playoffs. It's not an easy task for them.

Cronin might be emboldened to make some moves at the trade deadline next year if things aren't going quite the way that he wants them to go. They neglected to make any moves this year at the deadline.

Portland is hoping that the young guys step up late in the year when the pressure starts to ramp up.

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For more news and notes on the Portland Trail Blazers, visit Portland Trail Blazers on SI.

This article first appeared on Portland Trail Blazers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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