Jimmy Butler is older than Dame and don't tell me you wouldn't sign him in a heartbeat because he's 33.....people's idea of old in sports is pretty skewed from what I've seen..see Dirk and Duncan's 30's....see Lebon's 30s...Dame just had a career year at 32 after two seasons of rehab basically...he's ready to light it up.
If we were going that path and could trade Scoot for a package around Jimmy Butler I would absolutely do it. But, that's not reality.
reality remains that most of the greatest players in the game are in their 30s ...some age well...others not so well. Gym rats age well...Dame and Jimmy are gym rats. Both will age well with the game
We'll see. Injuries are more likely as you age. I'm not saying Dame will fall off a cliff tomorrow. But, it will happen as it happens to EVERYONE. I don't see Dame getting better at defense in his older years. Deals to make us contenders weren't there. Time to start over with our two elite prospects and continue to add to them. Sending out Dame for a plethora of assets, when he requested a trade, is the best way to do that. Just have to be patient.
You’re setting yourself up to get bashed with statements like “Jimmy has a bad attitude” or “He’d be a one year rental” “Doesn’t fit the roster” It’s bullshit. You get a chance at a player of that caliber you take it now!
Interesting that 28 other teams in the NBA aren't applying that same logic to Dame's availability. Is it possible that it's not actually that simple?
I think it's that simple...the timing of Dame's trade demand came at the worst possible time for the league..most teams have set rosters and pt guards in place. I don't believe at all that 28 teams wouldn't sign Dame tomorrow if they could do it...Mark Cuban would do it in a heartbeat as would the Lakers, New Orleans, etc...Minnesota will sign anybody. The Bucks would love to put Dame with Giannis....I think it's timing and assets at this point..the contenders have the fewest tradeable assets usually
His best season ever because Grant didn’t provide the desired boost and still trying to recover from Olshey-isms. We didn’t have the talent base so our only proven talent stepped up and did what he could. One proven talent & a bunch of role players, even more role-player-wannabes and one exciting rookie who showed potential but has much growth to go. His “best” year corresponds to one of the team’s worst years.
Why not? They can't make offers at least as good as Miami's? Dame's a superstar, a future hall-of-famer in his prime! Based on your logic, they all should be making a run at him.
Dame's trade request came on July 1st, during the moratorium. Plenty of teams had money, assets, and roster spots available...yet none made an offer for Dame. You honestly think it was all because of his Miami preference?
All NBA teams think they're good right now. Detroit is going to be a contender. Houston will win the west. Now that the Wenbanyama sweepstakes are over, there are Zero teams that will be intentionally tanking to start the 2023-24 season. The one thing that is guaranteed is that there will be four teams that will be in last place, 2nd to last place, 3rd to last place, and 4th to last place at the trade deadline. All those teams are tied for 1st place in July. There is very little MOTIVATION to do anything in July. Wait until some GMs' jobs are on the line.
If there is even a hint that Dame won't play for anyone but MIA why would any GM waste time on working a deal with POR. 60 mil for a guy that wont play? Any takers??? Who would want to compete with MIA in such a trade? Everyone and their brother knows Dame is MIA or bust and that has tainted the deal for Joe completely. Dame has set it up so that the only team Cronin can work with is MIA and he apparently ain't takin' the bait. It's one thing to say all this to Joe behind closed doors but this was out there soooo fast and I think it's pretty clear Dame's agent was "wink wink" with other teams interested in Dame or the NBA would have never sent the memo. All you have to do is say "hmmm we don't think Dame is a good fit with your organization" and the seeds are planted. That sounds like what Goodwin did.
What everyone seems to be missing is that Cronin doesn't want to trade Dame, and didn't want to trade Dame. I believe he believes that he is putting together a competitive roster (finally) and wants Dame to be a part of that. (I also like the looks of the roster so far). Tanking was a means to a goal and that goal has been achieved.
My guess is you are right that he did not want to trade Dame pre-July. But I think he is ok with it now.
