When did he say that? he said the goal is to contend and be aggressive ....what I've seen he's done just that. He said recently ...we're not good enough yet...that's the last out of his mouth. Doesn't make any false promises about it at all...that's just fans wanting instant gratification which is hardly ever achieved in the world of sports. Joe has repeatedly said, this will take time..it's not happening in one offseason but I think he has set a foundation towards that goal
The money spent on GP2, I would have used to sign Isaiah Hartenstein (signed with Knicks for fewer years at lower AAV) Instead of using the TPE on Grant, I would have used it to acquire two other MLE players (perhaps GP2, maybe Kyle Anderson, possibly Jalen Smith) in a sign & trade. I would have offered Simons 85M/4, and would have allowed him to seek a better offer in RFA if he felt that was too low, so the market could determine his value. If I were able to acquire Hartenstein and Smith, I would have offered Nurkic no more than 60/4, and would have been content to let him leave in free agency if he was able to get more.
Highkin is suggesting we chose Eubanks over Lopez, and not the other way around, probably because he had sweat equity with Chauncey.
I prefer Drew over Rolo. That ship has sailed. Drew is developing and has some nice skills. His defense will develop as well.
Joe went after guys that's fits billups system and parts of that system you must being to play some type of defense. Plus they also must be hard working players that's will put in the time in the gym. If thinks we going turn this team around in one year will you was dreaming. Will Dame ever win championships here in Portland the odds are against it but don't mean we can't be very competitive and maybe give him that's chance. But we will see if that will come true.
I dont like the choice of either one. I think that is setting the bar too low. Neither player is very good. I think there are better options on the market. Having said that, I prefer Drew over Rolo at this point.
Step 1; don't do the Clippers trade a week before the deadline giving up two starters, returning no useful vets, getting no picks and gaining "Flexibility" for the offseason
Great post and all very reasonable moves. Also without Grant we could have had Jalen Duren; setting this team up better long term if the "contend with Dame" plan doesn't work out. Instead we big against ourselves, overpaid players, and lost the "flexibility" we threw away starters for.
Here's a huge question I almost never see asked - IS DAME A BILLUPS TYPE PLAYER? My personal answer is no and can/will Dame change his game at 32? Dame is a lousy defender and likes to walk the ball up the court, Billups wants his players to play hard at BOTH ends and push the ball up the court - IMO they really don't mesh.