I’m getting sick of Dame and his representation. He’s going out worse than any Blazer I can remember, including LA. It seems spiteful.
While I completely agree in theory, I actually suspect that the Miami offer will actually be the best actual offer on the table by the end of negotiations. I think the other teams that have been suggested as being interested in Dame may in fact be interested but only at a very reasonable (i.e. discounted) price. I also still believe that if the offers on the table are 1) reasonable for a player of Dame's caliber and 2) relatively equal and overall value, the Blazers still do want to "do right by Dame" if it's possible and also makes sense for the franchise.
Both teams will try to posture that they are holding firm and this will last a long time, right up until the moment they finally agree to a deal. Certainly seems likely it's Miami or they're the favorite but we could see this flip in a moment and Dame immediately is elsewhere. I agree with Woj comment that teams believe Dame would ultimately completely buy into any team who trades for him and has a chance to contend. Everybody said Donovan Mitchell was going to NY until the Cleveland deal was announced. Or that Kyrie was going to the Lakers until the Dallas deal was announced. These things can go on for many months or pivot and be over in a few hours.
MIAMI giving away players for 2nd rounders. To sweeten the deal for us? The Heat announced today that they are trading wing Max Strus to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a pair of second-round picks. The Miami HEAT have acquired a trade exception from the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladipo and second round picks in 2029 and 2030.
We don't know that for sure, but the timing of the signing of Jaquez is, as well know, very suspect. I also haven't heard any media reports about Jovic being included in any deals which is wild to me. What is FAR more concerning is now whispers Dame's camp and Agents are calling other teams saying Dame will be disgruntled if they trade for him, if that is true then holy fuck, first off, Dame WTF are you doing? Secondly, isn't this tampering if the Agent is involved, and even 3rd party family/camp is extremely concerning. Again, it's a RUMOR but if true HOLY FUCK!
Interesting... While the deal with the Thunder generated a Heat trade exception at the value of Oladipo’s contract, it is doubtful it is utilized because of the Heat’s position against the tax. With the official announcements of the Oladipo and Strus moves, with Strus moving to the Cavaliers in a sign-and-trade transaction, it means the Heat no longer have the option of including those contracts in a multi-team trade for Lillard. The terms involved in the sign-and-trade with Strus were, to say the least, complex The simplest element is the Heat receive a second-round pick from the Cavaliers (Lakers’ own 2026). But as part of the trade, the Heat are exchanging future second-round picks with the San Antonio Spurs.The Heat will receive a 2027 second-round pick (least favorable of San Antonio/Houston/Indiana/Miami/Oklahoma City) and the Spurs will receive a 2026 second-round pick (least favorable of Oklahoma City/Dallas/Philadelphia) that Miami received in the KZ Okpala trade to Oklahoma City last year. Additionally, Cedi Osman, Lamar Stevens, cash considerations and a 2030 second-round pick (Cleveland’s own) are going to San Antonio as part of the transaction.
I actually think this is what the whole scenario is about. Marketing/Managing his brand/ Relevancy. Personally, I think once he saw Scoot in person (and realized Joe was going to keep him) he saw a decade younger, more athletic, defense playing Alpha dog who plays the same postion as himself. Rather than become a mentor, he realized, sooner rather than later, Scoot (or Shaedon) was going to become the best player in Portland. His image is all about Dame Time. Not 'Third fiddle Dame' back-up to the 'Sheesh Brothers' So he can either sit back, honor his contract & play with the young guys whilst slowly slipping from being 'The man' or he can force his way to a big major market where he can market himself to a much broader audience, in one big last cash cow move for his career, all the whilst with a chance at winning a Chip - which, again, improves his relevancy & marketing. As his rapping professes - it's all about the money, money, money. . .
I think the fact that the Cleveland/Heat trade and the OKC/Heat/Spurs trade were finalized is either an indication that this could really drag on. Or we're going to get some really shitty deal.
You know, Dame's camp didn't think the Blazers made a good faith effort to put a competitive team around him. Are we seeing a trend? Or is it a pattern? Lends one to believe there is an awful lot of ego in this game.
