Let’s face it. We need a rebuild. And Lillard won’t want to stick around for that. The time to trade him is now. At the moment, it looks like he’s in a slump: after the season it will look like he’s over the hill. His trade value will never be higher than it is right now.
I kinda agree. Love Dame, but he does deserve a lions share of blame for this season. His playing in the Oly's didn't do his injury any favors. His consistent positive outlook hides many facts that were never addressed. And now, his inability (this season) to manufacture the big "superstar shots" that over the years have stemmed other teams runs, or silenced a road crowd. Those shots are not happening. Boink. All good things come to an end. It is time.
I disagree...his trade value is lower right now than it has been for years....his injury has been exposed....and he's lost his 3 pt accuracy....he's worth more to the Blazers than what we could get back for him trading him this season and for all his loyalty, you'd be sending the wrong signal about great players wanting to play here.....no team in it's right mind would trade Dame at 31 with a new coach and roster changes around the corner....trade everybody else but don't trade for unproven rookies...get vets and spend the next 3 years of Dame's prime trying to climb the mountain with like minded guys on his career arc. The oldest team in the league put up 139 on Nas and the young 10 day guys last night....that's not going to make Dame happy. Nas only had 2 pts in big minutes last I checked and that's the type guy you're going to get if you blow it up...unproven talent
I think it may be time to quit viewing Dame as one of the 75 Greatest Players, (btw, Klay thompson is on line one.).. When I watch him, he appears to be a all star level player, not much more. The point Bango makes, and I am seeing is, he could be on the decline. Trade him now why the rest of the NBA world worships him. I can't believe I am thinking this, but what I am seeing has left me no choice.
The guy's been an ironman for his whole career....he has an injury to overcome in his prime, I'm going to be patient with it....he's certainly been patient with our front office...you won't find another Dame in my lifetime and as I said....trading Garnett didn't make the Timberwolves relevant for decades..they are still bottom feeders...I see the same if Portland loses Dame.....we'll be the Wolves or the Kings flailing for players, coaches and a playoff spot that'll never come.
Cool, so we will be where we are now with plenty more assets and potential cap space? We have like the 4th worst record in the league right now. Can't get much worse than that. Only thing worse than that is a perpetual 1st round and out team with no chance of improving.
So for the first time in his career, the team is shit, and the answer is to trade him. Makes sense. Instead of , you know, surrounding him with talent, let's just dump him because people get boners for draft picks and the pipe dream of free agency. brilliant.
As I said several times...trade everybody but Dame on the roster....of course they need a better constructed roster but trading Dame doesn't make you better...which was my point....you can trade Roco, Nance, Norm, CJ, Nurk, Zeller, Ant, Naz and everybody else...get under the cap and get a roster that clicks....that's the GMs job...Dame isn't the weakness in Portlands current situation...he's the franchise. Curry is Golden States franchise...they won't trade him for the same reason...it won't make them better. They'll even shut him down to rehab until he's better.
He also gives us the most back in a package to jump start the rebuild. He is only going to get worse. Father time is undefeated. I love Dame, but I love the Blazers and want them to win a title more. Paying Dame 55 million when he is 35 is not going to get us a title. Start over and suck for a couple years and turn into the Cavs through the draft. Hire the right GM to lead us through the rebuild.
I don't trust this magical rebuild....it's failed in many franchises and we're not a free agent destiny....I think you build around Dame for the next 4 years and give him a shot. Trading him would probably kill off any interest I have left in the Blazers after being a fan for 45 years.....I ain't gettin' younger and I want Dame here for the long haul....don't give a shit about rebuilding...get him some help now. Now CJ and Nurk....they can move tomorrow
Would someone who is pro-trading Lillard post a trade that they think would benefit us and would also be agreed upon by the other team? Good luck!
If Lillard is traded later then that later would be now but not the now that OP wants. So there is later now and now now but now now has passed so we can only trade him later now.
Much like Lillard, I don't remember Garnett doing a whole lot in Minnesota. It seems like his career was similar to Dame's with maybe a trip or two passed the 1st round with the T-Wolves....and they got a #1 pick to go along with him. Zilch! So while they haven't done anything since, they didn't really do much while he was there either.
2003-4 they were the top seed in the west playing the Lakers after beating SA and the Kings........Cassell, Sprewell, Garnett, Wally and Olawankandi were a hell of a team...they were a contender with Garnett....they played in the Western Conf finals that season ..the Lakers won but Garnett avg'd 28/19 over those three games before elimination....twice almost getting triple doubles.....people forget how good that team was...they beat a damned good Kings team too.
