It’s difficult to divorce the 2024-25 Portland Trail Blazers from the 2025 NBA Draft.
With a near-generational talent in Cooper Flagg looming as the apogee, there is no doubt next year’s draft is important. Our own Adrian Bernecich wrote as much a few months ago, saying “it would be malpractice by Cronin and his team to double down on the Blazers so-so veterans,” and “the Blazers need to forgo the chance to win a few more games next season so they can win a heck of a lot more towards the end of the decade.