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