I don't want to see Lillard traded until 2024. Let teams convince themselves they're one Lillard away from a championship run. From our perspective, what's the rush? We're tanking hard (AGAIN) so why not hold out? Let Morey be your guide! I've seen enough fucking "in the end, Portland will be forced to deal with Miami" posts to choke on. At the very least we have the option of not dealing at all.
Just trade him for something that helps build the team for the next era. If it's fast or slow does not matter. Once Dame decided he did not want to be a part of this era - any chance of a quick return to being a good team is delayed. Portland should not be in a hurry to get him where he wants for nothing. Let's not make the same mistake the previous GM made with LMA. Get good value for him - so we do not fuck the Scoot / Sharpe era the way NeO fucked the Dame era.
I think that would only decrease his trade value. Right now teams are looking at 2 years of 33/34 year old Dame at 47 million, and 2 years of 35/36 Dame at 60 million. It's in the best interest of both Dame and Portland to get a deal done. Damian is doing the team a favor, asking out, because management probably wouldn't have had the guts to do it otherwise.
You guys just don't know how to negotiate. We hold all the cards! Let 'em sweat. Be comfortable with discomfort.
The only reason I would want Joe to hurry up is so that you can move on to your new favorite team's bulletin board.
Not always, but I think recent NBA history has shown that "panic trades" generally don't pan out well for the trader, while Ainge and Morey have made a cottage industry of sitting on a "depreciating asset" until they get absolutely everything they want back. I'm hoping for just a smidge off the panic trade spectrum as the best-case for us. This isn't a Beal situation (nor even a Carmelo situation), and while I don't think the Durant trade return is on the table, that's the starting point.
Agreed. Make the team that sees him as the final piece be the aggressor. Make Dame's team do the work to find him a spot.
I would agree only if the right deal is not there. If it is, there is no reason not to take it. #1. Injury concern. Lillard gets injured, we are left with nothing and paying a bunch of money. #2. Minutes. While it would be beneficial for Lillard to mentor Scoot, we need backcourt minutes for Anfernee, Scoot, and Sharpe. Trading Lillard solves the issue of playing guys out of position. #3. CBA changes. Teams might be in a better position to trade now than next season.
If Dame were 27 this would be a different conversation. But I think many NBA teams would not even want Dame's contract for free right now. His market is a particular "win now" niche.
Let the snark begin. While you all are drooling over the Blazers, like i used too, i will now be the voice of reason.
Don't need to play him. He can sit at home (heard the Blazers paid to him, so he could afford a nice one) until a trade is found. Or it gives potential contenders more time to rearrange their books so they can be a participant. Everything in life is a game of opportunity vs risk. I am ok with reasonable risk in this case.
It is gonna be pretty lonely. The rest of us are gonna be optimistic after some of ya'll process that grief.
