Portland Trail Blazers head coach made his final decision to return back at his former…

 

Portland Trail Blazers head coach made his final decision to return back at his former…

Three days following the second and final day of the NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers become eligible for free agency. The Blazers have four selections in hand, up to 14 players under contract, and a payroll that is $4 million short of the luxury tax due to roster constraints.

Clearing money provides the Blazers more alternatives for free agency in July, even though they don’t have to reduce their roster to 15 players at the last minute—they can keep up to 21 during the summer.

They accomplish this by making unfair deals and declining Dalano Banton’s team option, albeit the latter isn’t recommended considering the Canadian’s late-season output.

Joe Cronin might be able to obtain the players and payroll reductions through trade negotiations.

 

Joe Cronin might be able to utilize the $12.9 million Mid-Level Exception (MLE) and the $4.7 million Bi-Annual Exception (BAE) if he can broker transactions that cut payroll and player counts.

Teams can distribute the corresponding exceptions among several players and are not required to use them all at once. Additionally, front offices have the freedom to sign restricted free players to offer sheets with the goal that the current team will decide not to match.

However, let’s also maintain some perspective. The Blazers, who are rebuilding, are not in a position to sign big-name, expensive players. They aren’t good, they are above the pay cap, holding a position in the 2025 draft should be a top goal, and it makes no sense to impede the growth of young players.

have purposefully left out players who play point guard and center because the Blazers already have depth at those positions. Although Cronin has the option to sign players in those positions, it’s more probable that he will use minimums in order to bolster the bench as needed.

Mid-Level Deviation
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ Isaac Okoro

23 years old
Placement: Forward/Wing
Accessible: Limited $11.8 million for a free agent 2023–24 Qualifying Offer: 69 games, 27.3 minutes, 9.4 points, 39.1% 3-point percentage, 3.0 boards, 1.9 assists, and 0.8 steals