
Cronin Defends Dundon, Says Blazers Will Spend Big When It Counts
Portland GM Joe Cronin defended owner Tom Dundon against cheapness criticism, saying Dundon is willing to spend big when it matters and noting the team discussed costly moves at the trade deadline, including potentially triggering the luxury tax. Cronin stressed that reports of a tight head-coach budget are misleading and that compensation will scale with the coach’s experience and risk. Tiago Splitter called the surrounding chatter exaggerated. Cronin admitted a miscommunication led to excluding two-way players from playoff road trips, later correcting by adding them for Game 5, and the Blazers plan a broad, flexible coaching search with a focus on efficiency and prudent spending.











