Category: Portland Trail Blazers Blog

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Trail Blazers re-sign Jusuf Nurkic and Anfernee Simons

The Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, July 6 re-signed center Jusuf Nurkic and guard Anfernee Simons.

“It was incredibly important to us to bring back both Jusuf Nurkic and Anfernee Simons as key pieces of our core,” said Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin. “Nurk’s physicality, rebounding prowess and defensive acumen make him an integral part of what we do on both sides of the ball.” Cronin continued, “Anfernee is already one of the league’s top shooters and this past season he showed elite ability as a shot creator and distributor. We are excited for him to continue the growth he has shown in his first four seasons in Portland.”

Nurkic, 27, averaged 15.0 points (53.5% FG, 69.0% FT), a career-high 11.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.11 steals in 56 games (all starts) for the Trail Blazers during the 2021-22 season. One of eight NBA players to average at least 15 points and 11 rebounds last season, Nurkic led the Trail Blazers in rebounds and ranked second in points while his 30 double-doubles marked the second-most of any season during his career.

Originally acquired by the Trail Blazers in a trade from Denver on February 13, 2017, Nurkic (7-0, 285) has averaged 14.6 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.00 steal and 1.25 blocks in 272 games (271 starts) over five-plus seasons in Portland. The Trail Blazers have a record of 160-112 (.588) with Nurkic in the lineup over that span.

Selected by Chicago with the 16th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, Nurkic holds career averages of 12.2 points (50.0% FG, 67.2% FT), 8.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 0.91 steals and 1.19 blocks in 411 games (330 starts) over eight seasons with the Trail Blazers and Nuggets.

Simons, 23, averaged career highs of 17.3 points (44.3% FG, 40.5% 3-PT, 88.8% FT), 2.6 rebounds and 3.9 assists in 57 games (30 starts) for the Trail Blazers during the 2021-22 season. His scoring average was a 9.5-point increase over his 2020-21 season average, representing the largest jump in the NBA for players who played a minimum of 50 games in both seasons. In his 27 appearances after becoming a full-time starter on January 3, Simons averaged 23.4 points, 2.7 rebounds and 5.8 assists.

One of the most prolific young shooters in the NBA, Simons (6-3, 195) had 24 games with at least five three-pointers before turning 23, tied for the third-most in league history by a player age 22 or younger. In addition, Simons is the only player in NBA history with multiple games of nine or more three-pointers before turning 23 (three). Simons became the youngest player in franchise history to score 40-plus points in a game when he scored a career-high 43 points against Atlanta on January 3, 2022.

Selected by Portland with the 24th overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft, Simons holds career averages of 10.2 points (42.5% FG, 39.2% 3-PT, 83.3% FT), 2.2 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 211 games (35 starts) for the Trail Blazers.

Pistons trade Jerami Grant to Trail Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers yesterday acquired forward Jerami Grant and the draft rights to Ismael Kamagate in a trade with the Detroit Pistons for the draft rights to Gabriele Procida, a 2025 first-round draft pick (via Milwaukee), a 2025 second-round draft pick and a 2026 second-round draft pick.

“Jerami Grant is a dynamic two-way forward that can impact winning at a high level,” said Trail Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin. “He fits seamlessly into Coach Billups’ system on both sides of the ball. We could not be happier to have him in Portland.”

Grant, 28, averaged 19.2 points (42.6% FG, 35.8% 3-PT, 83.8% FT), 4.1 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 0.94 steals and 1.04 blocks in 47 games (all starts) for the Pistons during the 2021-22 season. A Gold Medalist with Team USA at the 2021 Olympics, Grant has made the NBA playoffs four times, posting averages of 10.5 points (45.6% FG, 34.1% 3-PT, 80.0% FT), 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists in 35 games (21 starts).

An eight-year NBA veteran, Grant (6-8, 210) holds career averages of 11.4 points (45.2% FG, 34.9% 3-PT, 72.3% FT), 3.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.63 steals and 1.11 blocks in 555 games (270 starts) with Detroit, Denver, Oklahoma City and Philadelphia. He was originally selected by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 39th overall pick of the 2014 NBA Draft. Grant, a Portland native, is the son of 13-year NBA veteran Harvey Grant, who played three seasons for the Trail Blazers from 1993-1996.

Trail Blazers sign Gary Payton II

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed guard Gary Payton II, it was announced today by General Manager Joe Cronin.

“We are excited to have Gary join us in Portland,” said Cronin. “Gary brings an elite defensive acumen and championship pedigree that will be essential to how we play basketball. His competitiveness and toughness will accent Coach Billups’ style of play.”

Payton’s deal with the Blazers is reportedly a three-year, $28 million contract.

A six-year NBA veteran out of Oregon State, Payton (6-3, 190) averaged 7.1 points (61.6% FG, 35.8% 3PT, 60.3% FT), 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 1.35 steals and 17.6 minutes in 71 games (16 starts) as a prominent contributor to the 2022 NBA Champion Golden State Warriors during the 2021-22 season. Payton posted career highs in points per game (7.1), rebounds (3.5), steals (1.35) and minutes (17.6) and led the team in steals per game and total steals.

Over the course of six seasons, Payton has garnered career averages of 5.2 points (54.2% FG, 32.0% 3PT, 57.1% FT), 2.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.04 steals and 14.5 minutes per game in 142 games (39 starts) for Golden State, Washington, Milwaukee and the L.A. Lakers.

Trail Blazers sign rookie Shaedon Sharpe

The Portland Trail Blazers have signed rookie guard Shaedon Sharpe, it was announced today by General Manager Joe Cronin.

Sharpe, 19, was selected by Portland with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft. He joins the Trail Blazers from the University of Kentucky. A guard out of London, Ontario in Canada, Sharpe (6-6, 200) averaged 24.1 points and 6.0 rebounds during his final season at Dream City Christian Academy in Glendale, Arizona in 2020-21.

In 2019, Sharpe led Canada to a silver medal at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship, posting averages of 13.0 points (68.0% FG, 33.3% 3-PT, 60.0% FT), 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in six games.

Sharpe will make his professional debut for the Trail Blazers at the 2022 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas.

2022-23 Portland Trail Blazers preseason schedule

The Portland Trail Blazers will tip-off their five-game 2022-23 preseason schedule with a matchup against the LA Clippers, who will host the Trail Blazers in Seattle, Wash. at Climate Pledge Arena on Monday, October 3.

Portland will open their preseason home slate with a contest against division rival Utah Jazz at Moda Center on Tuesday, October 4 and host international opponent, Maccabi Haifa on Thursday, October 6.

The Trail Blazers will complete the preseason with two Northern California road games; visiting Sacramento on Sunday, October 9 and then facing off with the 2022 NBA Champions, Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, October 11.

DATE OPPONENT TIME (PT) VENUE

October 3 @ LA Clippers 7:00 PM Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle, WA.)

October 4 vs. Utah 7:00 PM Moda Center

October 6 vs. Maccabi Haifa 7:00 PM Moda Center

October 9 @ Sacramento 6:00 PM Golden 1 Center

October 11 @ Golden State 7:30 PM Chase Center

Portland Trail Blazers extend qualifying offer to Anfernee Simons

The Portland Trail Blazers have extended a qualifying offer to guard Anfernee Simons, making him a restricted free agent, General Manager Joe Cronin announced today.

By extending a qualifying offer to Simons, Portland obtains the Right of First Refusal on any offer sheet he may sign with another team.

During the 2021-22 campaign, Simons averaged 17.3 points (44.3% FG, 40.5% 3-PT, 88.8% FT), 2.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 29.5 minutes per game in 57 games (30 starts). The 24th overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft has also accrued career averages of 10.2 points (42.5% FG, 39.2% 3-PT, 83.3% FT), 2.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 20.7 minutes per game in 211 games (35 starts) for the Trail Blazers.

With 7th pick in 2022 NBA draft, Trail Blazers selected Shaedon Sharpe

The Portland Trail Blazers yesterday selected guard Shaedon Sharpe with the seventh pick in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft.

Sharpe, 19, joins the Trail Blazers from the University of Kentucky. A guard out of London, Ontario in Canada, Sharpe (6-6, 200) averaged 24.1 points and 6.0 rebounds during his final season at Dream City Christian Academy in Glendale, Arizona in 2020-21.

In 2019, Sharpe led Canada to a silver medal at the FIBA U16 Americas Championship, posting averages of 13.0 points (68.0% FG, 33.3% 3-PT, 60.0% FT), 3.7 rebounds and 2.3 assists in six games.

He will wear No. 17 for the Trail Blazers.

On the Trail Blazers and the 2022 NBA Draft

With the 2022 NBA draft mere weeks away, here’s NBA.com/blazers with some workout info:

Pre-draft workouts in Portland are back.

After not hosting draft-eligible players at the own practice facility over the last two years due to both the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of picks, the Portland Trail Blazers welcomed Julian Champagnie of St. John’s, Dyson Daniels of the G-League Ignite). Darius Days of LSU, Mouhamed Gueye of Washington State, Fatts Russell of Maryland and Dallas Walton of Wake Forest in their first pre-draft workout of 2022 Tuesday morning in Tualatin.

In front of a collection of front office staff, coaches and players — including General Manager Joe Cronin, Vice Chair Bert Kolde, Head Coach Chauncey Billups and Damian Lillard — the six players went through a series of tests, drills and light scrimmages in an effort to prove they should be selected with one of Portland’s three picks at the 2022 NBA Draft. The Trail Blazers currently own the seventh, 36th and 57th picks.

Trail Blazers name Joe Cronin as new general manager

The Portland Trail Blazers today named Joe Cronin as the organization’s 11th general manager.

Cronin had been serving as interim GM since December 3, 2021, and will continue leading all aspects of basketball operations.

Since assuming the interim role, Cronin developed a strategy to reshape the Trail Blazers roster with various deals and roster moves that create valuable assets and additional flexibility to improve the team’s competitiveness. Since first joining the team as an intern, Cronin has worked across a variety of front office roles. Now with 16 years of front office experience, including extensive knowledge of the salary cap, proven management skills, player evaluation prowess, and player contract expertise, he will continue to be invaluable to the organization.

“Joe has shown in his short time as interim GM that he is more than ready to continue leading the front office,” said Jody Allen, Portland Trail Blazers Chair. “We remain excited for the future of Trail Blazers basketball with Joe and Chauncey driving a cohesive plan to build an even more competitive and winning roster.”

“I would like to thank Jody and Bert for this opportunity and a long list of other incredible people that have put their faith and trust in me not only over the last six months, but the last 16 years,” said Joe Cronin, Portland Trail Blazers General Manager. “My focus has always been creating a championship team and culture that players, coaches, and staff want to be a part of. I look forward to continuing that focus with the vision that Chauncey, Dewayne, and I share while unifying our business and basketball operations on and off the court.”

“I’m excited to continue to partner with Joe and help bring the success that Rip City expects to Moda Center,” said Chauncey Billups, Portland Trail Blazers Head Coach. “We’ve established a great working relationship in the last six months and have the same vision for what it takes to win a championship in this league. I look forward to bringing Joe’s vision to life with our entire front office.”

Entering his 17th season with Portland in 2022-23, Cronin joined the team as a basketball operations intern in 2006. In 2010 he was promoted to pro scout/salary cap analyst where he was a crucial part of the player evaluation and roster construction process. In 2014, he was named the team’s director of player personnel and in 2021, was named assistant general manager. As a result of his continued dedication to the team, Cronin was the 2011-12 recipient of the Trail Blazers’ “Unify People in a Championship Culture” award. Prior to joining the team, Cronin earned his master’s at the University of Denver, where he also worked as a graduate assistant for the men’s basketball team. A Denver native who played college basketball at Regis University and the University of Northern Colorado, Cronin competed against Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups in the Colorado state high school basketball tournament.