Blazers GM Joe Cronin Says Club Will Cast Wide Net for New Coach
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Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin closed the team’s exit interviews on Thursday by outlining the next steps in the franchise’s coaching search, roster plans and ownership support.
Coaching Search
Cronin confirmed that interim head coach Tiago Splitter remains a candidate to keep the job, but emphasized that Portland will interview several others. “Tiago is a candidate, but we’re going to talk to other candidates. We decided early on we were going to cast a wide net,” Cronin told reporters, according to Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report.
Ownership Commitment
Asked about speculation that new owner Tom Dundon might try to limit spending, Cronin dismissed the notion, saying he is not concerned about Dundon’s willingness to fund the search for the right coach. He also expressed confidence in his own job security: “Tom is so transparent that I feel like if I was at risk, I’d probably know it.”
Roster Priorities
The general manager identified outside shooting as a critical need after the Blazers struggled in their playoff loss to San Antonio. “The Spurs series showed us that we don’t shoot the ball well enough,” he said. “We played a lot of possessions in the mud.”
Cronin added that Portland is open to pursuing a high-profile player, but only if it fits long-term plans. “We’re not going to sacrifice our entire future for a short-term swing,” he noted.
Other Notes
Cronin declined to discuss former head coach Chauncey Billups, citing an ongoing legal matter. He described the 2023-24 campaign as a “good season” while acknowledging that “there’s still work to do.”
Source: Hoops Wire
