The Portland Trail Blazers have enjoyed solid improvement in 2025 after several down years—and general manager Joe Cronin appears set to reap the rewards.
Cronin has agreed to an extension with the Trail Blazers, according to a Monday afternoon report from Shams Charania of ESPN.
The 49-year-old executive is in his fourth year as Portland's top executive, having assumed the position full-time in the spring of 2022. When he took over, the Trail Blazers were barreling toward a 27-55 season—their worst by winning percentage since 2006.
Their fortunes have vacillated in the years since—and have been overshadowed in general by their 2023 trade of guard Damian Lillard—but appear on the uptick as the regular season comes to a close.
Portland Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin has agreed to a multiyear contract extension with the franchise, sources tell ESPN. Blazers have 35 victories, a 14-win improvement so far – and are 22-16 since Jan. 19 while ranking top-5 in defensive efficiency during that span. pic.twitter.com/gVnc8KSHXD
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 7, 2025
Portland is 35-44 on the year—its best record since 2021—and has coaxed capable play out of a number of young players. Chief among them are forward Deni Avdija, forward Toumani Camara, and guard Anfernee Simons.
It appears Cronin will stick around to see the fate of his new young core.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Trail Blazers Extend GM Joe Cronin Amid Season-Long Improvement.
