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Speaking during NBA Summer League in Las Vegas
on Monday, Cronin called for patience as Portland hits reset and
awaits an offer the Trail Blazers consider a good one in
exchange for All-Star Damian Lillard.
"We're going to be patient. We're going to do what's best for
our team," said Cronin, echoing statements he made after the
2023 NBA Draft when Lillard formally requested a trade. "We're
going to see how this lands. And if it takes months, it takes
months."
Cronin hasn't talked to Lillard since the meeting to discuss his
future last month.
"In any deal, the goal is to come out with the best outcome. It
could be more of a win-now player. It could be a young player
and picks. It could be just picks. There's no set parameters,"
Cronin said of what kind of return he wants in a trade.
Lillard and his agent informed the Blazers that there is only
one acceptable outcome: Lillard playing for the Miami Heat.
Cronin wouldn't comment on trade talks with the Heat or any
team.
Cronin said a trade that works for everyone will require more
than one preferred destination. He also acknowledged Lillard
doesn't see Portland as a place where he can win now and, at 33,
wants to find that opportunity.
He said he gets that "Dame would look at (the Blazers) and see
why this isn't a win-now opportunity."
According to reports, Lillard was frustrated that Portland
didn't add a player in free agency who can help the Blazers
contend for a championship. Instead, the Blazers held onto the
No. 3 pick and selected Scoot Henderson, who also plays point
guard.
Cronin said he emphasized in conversations with Lillard that
Henderson, 2022 first-round pick Shaedon Sharpe and 24-year-old
shooting guard Anfernee Simons will be "win-now players very
soon."
--Field Level Media
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