Trail Blazers elevate Joe Cronin from interim to permanent GM / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

The Portland Trail Blazers are promoting Joe Cronin to general manager with a four-year contract, sources told ESPN.

Free throws this season

76%16,4Points made:16,4Accuracy:76,0%Place in standings:21Record max:37Record min:6Most made FTs:Jusuf NurkicTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Cronin takes over at a crucial time for the Blazers, an offseason when the organization has a top-10 pick, a $21 million trade exception and the ability to extend three of its top players, including All-StarDamian Lillard,Anfernee Simons and Josh Hart.

Cronin's strong relationship with first-year coach Chauncey Billups played a significant part in the franchise's belief that there will be a philosophical alignment moving them forward together in basketball operations.

The Blazers, who finished 27-55, have the sixth-best draft odds to move up to the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. The draft lottery is May 17 in Chicago.

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