The Evolution of Joe Cronin’s Draft Strategy

Joe Cronin’s tenure as the Portland Trail Blazers’ General Manager has been marked by a series of strategic decisions, particularly in the realm of drafting. This article is part of a broader analysis evaluating his performance across five key areas: Trades, Drafting, Free Agency, Salary Cap Management, and Culture.

2021-2022: A New Era Begins

When Cronin took over as acting GM, the Blazers were in a state of flux. They had sent their first-round picks to the Houston Rockets in 2020 and 2021 as part of the trade for Robert Covington. In 2021, they also traded a lottery-protected first-round pick to Chicago as part of a three-team deal that brought in Larry Nance Jr. from Cleveland. The most notable name in this trade was Lauri Markkanen, who ended up in Cleveland, while the Bulls received Derrick Jones Jr., a second-round pick from the Cavaliers, and are still waiting on the first-round pick from Portland to convey.

Cronin’s approach to rebuilding the team involved a shift from a “win now” strategy to one focused on acquiring young talent. This change was evident when the team decided to stop being an also-ran playoff contender and instead focus on adding high-level young players.

In the 2021-2022 season, the Blazers finished with the sixth-best odds for the Draft Lottery. Instead of cashing in on their chance to jump into the Top 4 in a draft headlined by Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith Jr., and Paulo Banchero, they ended up falling into the seventh draft spot. This was the highest draft pick since the team drafted Dame at sixth overall in 2012.

Cronin made a bold move by trading for Jerami Grant just before the draft, knowing he was a year away from free agency. He then committed to using the seventh pick and selected Shaedon Sharpe, a high-flying, mysterious wing prospect. Despite some concerns about his skills, the team believed in his potential.

Draft Results:
– Round 1; Pick 7: Shaedon Sharpe
– Round 2; Pick 57: Jabari Walker

Notables drafted after Pick 7:
– Dyson Daniels
– Jalen Williams
– Jalen Duren

Shaedon Sharpe has been a mixed bag since arriving in Portland. Some nights he looks like a future superstar, while other nights he resembles an inefficient volume shooter. His dribbling skills leave a lot to be desired, and he struggles to impact the game in multiple ways. However, the team is allowing him a superstar usage rate of 31%, and he is averaging a career-high of 21.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists.

2022-2023: A Shift in Strategy

The 2022-2023 season saw the retooled lineup start strong with a 10-4 record, but the team quickly fell apart. The system became too dependent on Lillard, and the team struggled to find a balance. At the trade deadline, Josh Hart was dealt to the New York Knicks for Cam Reddish and the Knicks’ 2023 first-round pick.

Portland ended up with the fifth best lotto odds, which was the ultimate draft to tank for with the greatest prospect since LeBron James at the top: 7’5” Frenchman Victor Wembanyama. The Blazers sent Brandon Roy to the draft lottery, and he ended up bringing home the third pick.

Draft Results:
– Round 1; Pick 3: Scoot Henderson
– Round 1; Pick 23: Kris Murray
– Round 2; Pick 43: Rayan Rupert

Notables drafted after:
– Amen Thompson
– Keyonte George
– Toumani Camara

Scoot Henderson was highly anticipated as the future backcourt of the team, but his performance has been underwhelming. He struggled with decision-making, turnovers, and shooting efficiency. While he showed improvement later in the season, his overall impact has not met expectations.

Kris Murray was a safe plug-and-play pick with the 23rd selection, but he struggles with shooting the 3. Rayan Rupert was highly thought of by Cronin, but he currently looks like an afterthought.

Cronin’s decision to draft Scoot Henderson has raised many questions, especially given the success of other prospects like Amen Thompson. As the Blazers continue their rebuild, the future of Scoot and the team’s draft strategy remain uncertain.

Keep your eyes peeled for part 2 of Joe Cronin’s draft grades, where I’ll round out the latest two drafts and share my overall grades for Cronin during his tenure. Also, stay tuned for my grades on Cronin’s management of Free Agency, the Salary Cap, and Culture.