With the 2022-23 NBA season fast approaching (only four more weeks!), NBA.com has been readying fanbases with its “30 Teams in 30 Days” preview series. In the recent Portland Trail Blazers preview, writer Shaun Powell gave Portland general manager Joe Cronin approving nods for his effort to “retool” the roster around superstar Damian Lillard.
Faced with a crossroads last season, the Blazers doubled down on their 32-year-old franchise centerpiece of 10 seasons, despite shipping out his running mate CJ McCollum. Whether it was due to cold, hard analysis or emotion, Portland gave Lillard a massive contract extension and are attempting to reshape the roster around his talents again.