The Blazers gave Ant that contract for two reasons: they think he has more upside than the average gunner; and the usual Blazers overpay because of small market and trying to keep a core together for Dame. The question is whether any other GMs around the league agree with the first assessment enough to swallow the second part.
I normally love your stuff but your defense of Dame’s camp’s behavior is one of the worst takes on the board. It’s kind of mindboggling.
there's good teams with worse future assets that Lillard could have demanded a trade to. Phoenix, Lakers, what would one 1st, 5 2nd rounders + multiple junk contracts trade for Lillard look like? Blazers still have their own first round pick. That's the most important part of a rebuild. I'm sorry, but demanding better trade package for Lillard, looks no better then Lillard demanding a trade to Miami.
This whole "player empowerment movement" (PEM) has swung so far in that direction that it's just as bad as total Owner power in the 80's and 90's if not MUCH worse, especially for small market fans. Isn't it obvious that the "PEM" is really just code for, strip small market teams of any sort of tools to build a contender and deliver superstars from small markets to desirable and big markets? If it was draining big markets of talent and making the league harder to market, Silver would have already squashed it, DUH! I mean come on, look at our current situation for crying out loud. Now imagine Dame gets his wish. That's it, it's over. You have until the end of the Rookie contract extension to build a contender and then you're done. You basically act as the B-League a much more advanced developmental league for the Big market and desirable market teams (I'm including the Florida "small market" teams and SAS for taxes and weather). Like why the FUCK would you support that as the fan of a small market team?!?! It's not like these guys aren't getting paid for fucks sake! Dame is gonna be worth Half a BILLION dollars after his contract. Sure, Ownership makes more, but they can LOSE money, players cannot and in fact salary wise (not including endorsements) they often make more from small/undersirable markets. The Owners are taking on the risk running their franchise, not the players. Also, to me I've never cared about players vs. owners once there was some degree of parity starting basically when LeBron blew up, to me it's always been about major markets/desirable markets vs. small markets. This current debate is 100% about that and if you support Dame's camp (different from loving Dame as a player we are talking dirty pool tactics) you're basically slitting the throat of small and/or undesirable markets and I hate to break this to you, but we are BOTH. I mean this is such an obvious no-brainer to me it just absolutely stuns me that people would support what Dame's camp is doing.
What are you talking about? It's completely different! First off, Dame saying one team and one team only (won't report to camp etc.) has utterly cratered his value. So now asking to get $0.75 on the dollar instead of $.25 is somehow uncouth? What the actual fuck? Are you being sarcastic? Do we have sleeper cell Miami fans on the board?! I love Dame as a player, I loved his persona (it's a bit shaky to me if that was just branding at this point based on the scorched Earth), and I certainly loved his iconic movements of 0.9 and "the wave", but his camp's behavior is among the worst I've ever seen in NBA history and people are apologizing for it when our team is gonna get reamed? I just do not get it at all.
I would like to obtain Herro, Martin, Robinson, the rookie center Robinson and 3 first round picks. Dame plus filler if need be then…. we trade one of these first picks plus Nurkic and Little for Ayton By Christmas, we will have a better idea as to which guard to be trading away for a PF.
“I'm told Portland has told Miami this: Make your best offer to us.” I'm not sure what this is supposed to mean. Or what we can extrapolate will happen next from this. There's a lot of different possibilities; 1. Does that mean Portland has another potential deal with a different team they are about to agree to - and they are giving Miami one final chance to beat it? 2. Does that mean Portland has resigned to trade Dame to Miami no matter the return and is politely asking for the best offer so the deal can be closed? 3. Does that mean Portland is giving Miami one final chance to complete this trade - but without a best offer will end negotiations to trade Dame and move on to holding Dame long term? 4. Does that mean Portland will next push back on Dame that the Miami offer is not realistic so he needs to add additional teams or accept returning to the Blazers? I feel like different parties could spin that comment to fit whatever agenda they want.
This guy forgot to add the second part that followed, "Make us your best offer"..."Because your first offer is crap."
I think you're right but it could mean that we're close on a deal and Joe thinks he can squeeze them for a little more by saying that the offer on the table isn't the best and he needs the best. If things get wrapped up in the next week, that's probably what this meant, if (more likely) things continue to drag on then obviously you are right.
I would use the "make your best offer" as a negotiation tactic to put fear in them that other teams are making offers. Cronin can tell Dame, look, we received Miami's best offer and it just wasn't good enough. You are going to Boston (or Philly, or Toronto, etc.). I don't think anyone believes Dame would actually sit out. I don't believe we aren't getting any offers other than a shit one from Miami.
I don't really see a payoff for Dame returning to the Blazers if both parties are going to work to trade him soon. If Dame plays great it doesn't really change trade offers - its just more of the same as last season. If Dame plays terrible it has a chance of hurting his trade value a bit. If Dame gets hurt his trade value could plummet. Just seems like a high risk low reward move. If the Blazers can't find a trade I'd think it makes more sense to have Dame sit out, possibly at the direction of the team so he can still get his checks. If the Blazers and Dame want to move on and have him play for the team for the majority of next season; then thats a totally different discussion. I just find it unlikely both parties want to go down that path at the start of next year.
Personally, I read it as #3. Basically Portland saying, "We're tired of your insulting offers. If you want Dame, prove it, but it's time to crap or get off the pot."
I think we're a long ways apart from them. It sounds like they're offering some kind of crap deal with Herro, Robinson, maybe Jovic and a couple picks. The best they can offer is not much better, but it IS better. Jovic Jaquez 2024 2028 2030 Pick from Herro trade Pick from Martin trade A couple pick swaps That's a LOT better than what they are most likely offering, but Miami doesn't want to offer this because (as their shills have been screaming) they don't want to bid against themselves.
I don't think either side wants him to come back. I think it's the only threat we have and they have to believe that we're willing to use it.
It means some combination of 1,3, and 4. If its 2 see you in the unemployment line Joe cause you’re done in the league!
I think it could be #1 or #3. I don't think anyone is buying the bluff that Dame will refuse to play.
