Joe Cronin: I Have "Zero Desire" To Trade Damian Lillard

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 10: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers in action against the Philadelphia 76ers during a game at Wells Fargo Center on March 10, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Trail Blazers 120-119. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

By 750 THE GAME STAFF

If it was solely up to Joe Cronin, the Trail Blazers would keep Damian Lillard for the rest of his career.

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But the Portland general manager also could not pass up the chance to pick a player who could turn into Lillard’s replacement sooner than later: Scoot Henderson at No. 3 overall.

When asked about keeping both players in Portland, Cronin acknowledged the chance he is unable to accomplish that, but he will try.

“In this league there’s no such thing as ‘zero (percent chance)’, probably,” Cronin said. “But I would say that my goal is to keep both of them.”

Cronin reiterated his desire to keep Lillard in a Blazers uniform forever.

“I would love to see Dame retire a Trail Blazer. I have zero desire to trade him. I really hope this works out here.”

As to the on-court fit for Lillard and Henderson, who play the same position, Cronin deferred to his head coach, Chauncey Billups.

“We’ll see how Chauncey decides to use Scoot in year one. Whether he’s going to use him as a backup or is he going to use him as a starter or swing him, I don’t know how he is going to do it.”

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Watch Cronin’s full comments in his post-draft press conference here.