Anfernie Simmons and Damien Lillard signed contract extensions with Portland this summer.
portland trailblazers
2021-22 Records: 27-55
Major additions: Jerami Grant (trade), Gary Payton II (free agency), Shadon Sharp (2022 Draft)
Main subtraction: none
Last season: The inevitable franchise shakeup finally happened, and it was right before the earthquake.blazers Fired GM Neil Orsey When Trade CJ McCallum, on a team that failed to reach the NBA Finals during the Damian Lillard era, two key figures of the last few years. Speaking of Lillard, he had a below-average year (for him) due to injuries, and until the Blazers he only appeared in 29 games. shut him upWith the Blazers pulling the plug on a disappointing season before the All-Star break, the roster flipped in 2021-22, essentially holding tryouts for 2022-23.
Summer summary: There are two ways to fix the team’s danger of becoming mediocre. The Blazers chose the latter mainly because (a) Lillard is worth building around, even though he’s a diminutive guard who primarily impacts the game with his shots, and (b) the rest. Because I believe that I can be active at the elite level for a few years.
It’s time Rip City ⌚️
are celebrating @trailblazers NBA TV all day long! #TeamDay pic.twitter.com/rPDpc1eslT
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 16, 2022
Basically, Portland asserts that “Dame Time” isn’t expiring anytime soon. The Blazers are almost literally counting on Lillard to be the centerpiece of the championship contender. Mind you, the Blazers only made it all the way to his Conference Finals Western under Lillard’s watch (back in 2019). In that series, they lost to the Golden State Warriors without Kevin Durant, and Lillard lost to Stephen Curry (who won another title three years later).
of Blazers extend contract with Lillard It wasn’t urgent this summer, and it hit a staggering $122 million in two years. After all, Lillard was nowhere near free agency. With this extension, he will earn his $63 million when he turns 36. First off, I want to congratulate Lillard for being a man on his feet and an ideal face for the franchise. Second, Portland either ignored Lillard’s entire trade package (he definitely would have gotten a young player and a first-round pick) or was too emotionally attached to him to ask for anything. rice field.
So the decision was made. Lillard stays on and the Blazers again try to surround him with the right pieces. Joe Croninthe new guy in HR.
Cronin certainly isn’t shy, having pulled the trigger on McCallum last spring and brought in three serviceable rotation players: Josh Hart, Larry Nance and Justice Winslow. This summer, he made two more decisions that seem to deserve a round of applause. Get a grant.
Grant’s skill set is well suited for today’s game. Long and athletic with good defensive instincts and a fairly reliable 3-point shot. After serving primarily as an athletic winger and defensive stopper in his first five seasons in the NBA, he has developed into a go-to scorer and a more reliable 3-point shooter with the Detroit Pistons (with the last two seasons having been his He’s 20.9 ppg, 35.3% 3-point shooting percentage). season).
With the Pistons, he was a volume scorer and could be a major option. In that regard, the Blazers believe he will commend Lillard.The Blazers also need to pay him as he becomes an unrestricted free agent next summer.
In addition to Lillard’s extensions, Anfanie Simmons and Yusuf Nurkic were also extended this summer, and Payton signed a reported three-year contract.
Payton has had a solid run as a defensive stopper/key reserve for the champion Warriors. Where did he learn how to play his D?In any case, this is kind of homecoming for the former Oregon star, who needs to command the time he earned with Golden State last season. I have.
He will back up Simmons, who played well after Lillard closed last season. (He averaged 23 points over the last two months). Reported 4-year, $100 million dealrich for a player who spent 22 minutes a night off the bench until Lillard got injured and McCollum was traded.
Another order of work Nurkic extended for another 4 yearsHe’s only 28, but in good health he’s still an unsung hero.
The Blazers won the lottery out of a disastrous 2021-22 season and spent it on a two-guard Sharpe just like Simmons. He went to Kentucky, but skipped the opportunity to wear the suit and instead declared the draft.In essence, his draft status is largely due to his 2021 high school star A summer showcase for Nike was due to his play in his youth league.
Another Interesting Summer Note: The late Paul Allen estate, run by his sister Jody, has announced a team was not soldPortland native Nike founder Phil Knight was reportedly interested. The Blazers will be sold at some point, but not anytime in the near future, according to the estate.
Perhaps by then, Lillard will be off his paycheck and involved in a potential ownership bid.
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Sean Powell has covered the NBA for over 25 years.you can email him find here here is his archive and follow him twitter.
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