I'd look to land a king's ransom for Dame. This team is definitely not in position to have a contract like that on the books. A trade would benefit both sides. This core is pretty much at a plateau, or nearing it. Hamstrung by Neil's shitty management, and we lack assets to make that next leap. That is on Neil, not Dame.
Too many people have a "Finals or Bust" or "Championship or Bust mentality. If a supermax keeps Dame in a Blazer uniform for his entire career and we never make it to the 2nd round over the next decade, I'd still give it to him.
Oh heck no. We should immediately trade him for some draft picks and an expiring contract. Maybe we can get a couple of late first round picks out of it, lol. (pretend this is in green font)
The only way I'd move Dame is if the Blazers decide it's time for a rebuild. In that instance, I don't see it as fair to Dame to saddle him with a crappy roster and no chance to win in his prime years. Also, I don't think it would be effective for the Blazers' rebuild to have a guy as good as Dame dragging his team to more wins than you'd like if you're hoping for a series of top draft picks. I think in that instance, and that instance alone, trading Dame to a contender for quality young guys, picks and ending contracts would make sense. Otherwise:
If you sign a player that is not LeBron to 35% of your cap without already having nearly enough talent around him to be competitive then you are basically making sure that you won’t be competitive for the length of this deal unless you draft perfectly. Then again Portland is not a FA destination so that’s probably the only way we are going to succeed anyway so yeah, go for it.
I mean, what's the difference between 30% and 35% in 2021? $6M? What's that really going to affect...? Letting Dame walk over that would be absolutely ridiculous.
MUST SIGN DAME. It's all fantasy money anyways. Draft picks and garbage are no guaranty of success. Maybe the Blazers draft the world's greatest player, and after his rookie deal, he says "F PDX, i'm outta here". Dame is a super player, and a super dude, and he likes us. LIKES US. Any question.
A lot of people (including many experts) have Lillard not even in their top 10, because he's to one dimensional. And you do not know if he will be as good as he is now from the age of 32.
Dame was 4th last year in MVP voting. Hes a top 10 player, and a bonafide superstar. He's also underrated so dont give me that "some experts say..." stuff. He also takes great care of his body while working hard. I doubt he's worse at 32 than he is now. He'll deserve every penny. You reward a guy like him.
