If the second half of the season is an indication, expect a long rebuild in Portland.
Following the All-Star break, the Trail Blazers lost 14 games by at least 30 points, the most 30-point losses in a season in NBA history.
That type of losing doesn't sit well with Damian Lillard.
"A tough season, a lot of adversity this year. A lot of things came up that we didn't expect," Lillard told fans before the season finale. "But I want you to know one thing: This will not continue. Next year, we're gonna be back better than before."
Fortunately for the Trail Blazers, who on Tuesday promoted Joe Cronin from interim to permanent general manager, they have the resources with draft picks, trade exceptions and potential cap flexibility to make sure that the losing in Portland won't continue.
State of the roster
Roster status: Expedited rebuild
The Trail Blazers waved the white flag at the trade deadline, stripping down the roster and using the last 30 games as an audition for next season.
The challenge now comes with expediting a rebuild that is only two months old around the timeline of franchise guard Lillard.
