Of course we do. But then what happens when it looks like it's not working? "Give him more time! It's only been a month or so!" "We'd be doing worse if it weren't for Dame!" And so on. And it remains true that Dame and Ant do not complement each other well and may even step on each other's toes. They have the same strengths, but they also have the same weaknesses. So: suppose you had to choose: a) Trade for players to put around Dame for one last shot at a championship (the Boston Big Three method) which would require trading Ant as he's our best asset, or b) Try to build a team that will succeed in Ant's time-frame (which would almost be greatly advanced by trading Dame ASAP to get his soon-to-be massive contract off the books) Everyone seems to think there's a third option, but I'm going to need an example in NBA history where it works (and don't say David Robinson and Tim Duncan, because both of them were all-world defense AND offense).
If we DO give it a shot and Dame comes out and looks like ass, or the team isn't playing well, how much does it hurt our trade position? Teams are going to know that we're in a bind.
We owe it to Dame to not trade him off of hypotheticals. FO and him should agree if it isnt working by the trade deadline he is traded. Fo should work with him like they did CJ. Be transparent. And who cares what anyone in here says or thinks. Trade deadline or bust.
Of course, and what happens if the picks you trade for flame out as good rotation players at best and whoever you get for him salary wise is not a fit? There is always a risk / reward with any of these kinds of decisions. It is pretty obvious that the chance of getting a superstar of Dame's caliber back is not a likely return, when all is said and done - so basically the argument for looking at the Dame / Ant combo is a much higher ceiling - where an immediate trade will likely get you a higher floor. The Blazers have a chance at old / young superstar combo + supporting roster - they would be fools not to explore it - because if it works out... they have a real chance of contention.
The flaw in this logic is that this isn't fantasy league.... or NBA2k. Putting two players who possess similar strengths and similar weaknesses means that there's a very real chance that neither will be playing to their potential. These are real players who have to work together, and sometimes a combination of players simply doesn't work. On paper Dame and Ant is a formidable duo. In reality, they might make each other worse because they both need the ball, and defensively their deficiencies are amplified because they're both weak defenders. So the question becomes: Is Dame at 80% and Ant at 80% better than: Dame at 100% and Hart at 100% + whatever we can get for Ant or Ant at 100% and Hart at 100% + whatever we can get for Dame
No disrespect, but you have put your analyst hat on and you believe it is clearly the case. I would argue that many are not as certain as you are - thus the risk / reward scenario presented.
I definitely see value in bringing Dame back so he can, at the very least, show that he's healthy and still an elite player. But there's also risk because if we come out flat next season and the team is showing major regression with Dame on the floor, it can really damage our position of strength in negotiations.
We WILL give it a shot, would be dumb not too, and when has Dame came out looking like an ass? Grasping for straws aren't you now?
He will push the Dame should be traded narrative all over this forum now, sometimes it's just best to leave people to their views and move on, or it will be the same ring around the rosey talk.
what position of strength do you think Portland is in now? I don't think it's nearly as good as you apparently do you're advocating trading a 31 year old 6'2 guard on a super-max deal who is currently injured and out because of surgery to try and correct a chronic condition. And doing it directly following the worst season of his career. Teams are not going to pony up great assets to trade into that situation. Right now is selling low and what you're selling seems to be that Dame is not going to be anywhere close to the player he was....just 9 months ago...so dump him now at a discounted price
I think his value decreases every year that he ages. He's 31. He's going to be 32 in a few months. I don't think the league believes that he's drastically worse than he was 9 months ago. I think he still has high value. The difference is that you're equating value with health and output. I'm equating value with team success and perception. If the team comes out flat, there will be once again rumblings that Dame will want out. Or maybe he comes out and he's not the player that he was. Right now there's a chance that he won't be the same player, albeit a very small one. If he were to come out and play poorly next season, it wouldn't be a chance anymore. It would be a fact. So right now a team would trade for him and hope that he's going to be the same guy. I think a lot of teams would take that chance.
That's a lot different from your earlier post which went with: There is always risk in these kinds of things, but I am pretty sure you were one that in the past called Simons a "failed experiment" as a PG before giving him the time to mature and learn (if it was not you, I apologize, that's what my memory says). In other words - there are certainly things that we can not for sure until we try them - and I will repeat my assertion - if the Dame / Ant combo can coexist efficiently - the Blazers have a much higher chance to become contenders than if you try to maximize Dame's trade value before exploring the pairing - so not giving this combination a try is a mistake.
Maybe it should have said "potential value." My point is that I can see the argument why someone would want to bring him back. But I can also see the argument for trading him. I don't understand people who just flat out say, "nope this is the way." Bringing him back might work out. It might be a slam dunk. He and Simons might be awesome together. I can see that happening..... I can also see major issues with it. I try to be able to see both sides.