The team, for some reason, want to and thinks they can build around Dame. IMHO they are not going to be able to do this with role playing vets. Even good ones like OG and Collins. The only way to get championship competitive is to find a wing star. So my idea is this. Get as many young promising wings as possible and hope one emerges so that player and Ant can help an aging Dame get a title Or do the smart thing and trade Dame
Or get a wing who is a defensive stud and let the guards carry this team. Thybulle/Dyson is what I’m thinking
I think OG and Collins are still young and have star potential... to start out with. I think that if we're serious about building a contender around Dame, we would do whatever small thing it takes to get rid of the conditions on the pick we owe Chicago and use our 2025 and 2027 first rounders, along with the other assets we have to get the right player(s) to actually contend now.
I'm not sure what you mean by "get as many young promising wings" Does that mean sign someone for the MLE? Or get a number of late 2nd round pick project wings? Or sign D League wings? Or trade future first round picks for wings? Wings are the most sought after type of player in the NBA, so there aren't any good wings with potential that are available for a low cost. Unless the Blazers trade Dame, Ant, #7, or future first round picks they probably don't have a way to get a single "young promising wing" Now if the Blazers just drafted BPA at #7, and traded Dame for assets sure they could try and get multiple "young promising wings" to pair with Ant. I agree that the Blazers don't seem interested in this.
It's interesting we don't hear much chatter about what Dame is worth in a trade. (except ridiculous trade scenarios by Knicks and Lakers fans).
I don't find this interesting; its the same reason we don't hear chatter about what Giannis is worth, the player isn't being shopped and the Blazers would just say "no" or "not interested" to any inquiries. Now if the Blazers are below .500 this could start to change during the season. Or if Dame makes public comments as he did last summer.
given how far we are, it's unreasonable to be able to build a championship roster in one offseason. we just need build towards it by not making trades that minimize the value of our limited assets.
Lillard probably doesn’t have a lot of teams that would be clamoring to trade for him except larger market destinations looking to load up a super team real quick. His window is short
thybulle is great defensively and averaged 25 1/2 minutes during the season but in the playoffs he could only be on the court for 15 minutes a game because of his lack of offense.
Yes, this is the reason why we should not get offensive or defensive specialists. They can be good, even very good, contributors during the regular season; but once games matter in the post season they can be schemed off the floor. Now this assumes the Blazers are trying to win playoff games. If all the Blazers want to do is make the playin or playoff then get bounced; sure go for specialists.
Robert Williams and Draymond... defensive specialists who are Bigs that can switch and anchor a D seem to be an exception to your proclamation STOMP
If anything your comment reinforces my point. Robert Williams shot 74% FG's with double digit scoring, that's not a defensive specialist. I certainly wouldn't call Draymond a defensive specialist either. He is elite at initiating offense, and would be a huge benefit to the Blazers offense when Dame is trapped. He might be better on defense than offense; that doesn't make him a one way specialist.
Okay, love that we're on the same page here. I can't think of a player with a career that overlapped Dame's that I'd rather the Blazers had drafted when then could have more then Draymond (Meyers Leonard). I want Bigs who excel & focus on D. While I want everyone in the lineup to have offensive skills, I don't want them all to expect to be scorers. Having guys who will set great screens is important. Multiple ball handlers and willing passers are welcome additions. In general, I want at least 3 shooters in the lineup likely at positions 1-3. I like long stout versatile defenders 2-5. STOMP
He’s already reputation-wise a lockdown defender and still on his rookie contract. He fits our TPE, if you get him for very little and can sign him for a reasonable contract, you have to do it. If he is on the floor with guys like Simons and Dame, he’ll be fine. I think Chauncey will also turn him into a better shooter. He shot 39% in the regular season post Harden trade, if that instills any optimism.
