In the MIA thread I posted... If it's redundant, go ahead and merge. There are some interesting sweeteners if you go this route with the 3rd party teams. This is not an exhaustive list, just some good value in the Futures market... UTH has MIN's 2027 (unprotected!) and 2029 (top 5 protected) and swaps in 26 OKC has PHI's 2025 (top 6 protected, the top 4 through 2027) and LAC's 2025 (unprotected swap) and 2026 (unprotected) HOU has BKN's 2026 unprotected and 2025 and 2027 unprotected swaps BKN has PHI's 2027 (top 8 protected for 2 years) SAS has BOS 2028 swap (top 1 protected), ATL's 2025 and 2027 unprotected and 2026 swap Taking Simmons from BKN, or sending Jaylen Brown to one of these teams, or building a bigger deal--here are some places to invest in someone else's unfortunate future.
Damian is strong and healthy coming off one of the most electrifying seasons of his career. Sending the franchise icon to a crummy team for the best deal... that's not how the NBA operates. It never has been. Dissing an All-NBA player who has done everything right for this organization would create a bigger fubar scenario then what has already transpired. The Blazers are actively pumping up fans with a giant He-Man sword, "we have the power !" But in the end, Cronin needs to do some real GM work instead of hiding in the closet, hoping opposing teams leave him a nicely wrapped birthday present on his desk after they're done ransacking his office. Nobody would give Cronin a 2nd round pick for Trendon Watford. Nobody would give anything to Portland for any Blazer right now. Why??? Because that's the NBA, it's a cutthroat business. If opponents smell blood in the water, only the sharks come out. Utah has 1 million picks, Blazers need picks for this rebuild. Cronin has to put his calculator and Xbox controller down and grab Jody's checkbook. Cronin signed Lillard to a big contract, then actively scared him off the team. Heck, even Drew Eubanks was done being a Blazer. A 3-way deal with the Jazz would be fortuitous. Blazers get picks, Miami gets their man, and Utah gets some good white guys, because you know... it's SLC. Cronin might actually have dip into the forbidden cash considerations to make this deal happen. Lillard made Jody Allen a lot of money, and it's only fair to pay some of that foward as a kind gesture.
Danny Ainge traded Paul Pierce. He traded Isaiah Thomas after an MVP level season. The Celtics are fine.
The Celtics told Marcus Smart he was staying. A few days later he was traded. Lamarcus Aldridge shafted the Trail Blazers.
Marcus Smart sucks, there's no comparison between that guy and Lillard. this is where angry Blazer fans that just want to fight with everyone are trying to reach. (aka Blazers Edge). Lillard is not "shafting" the Blazers. Dame wants to be traded. There is a big difference.
Marcus Smart is a mini PJ Tucker that shoots 1-8 in playoff games. Nobody plays defense anymore, it's the modern NBA. Getting late game parlays on sports betting websites is more important then players that don't produce STATS.
