The Blazers Front Office opened the door and pushed Dame out. Now management and some fans think they can stand in front of the cab and say "You can only go where we tell you." there are some power tripping oddities in Blazer Land
Well, that's literally how it works when you sign a contract. He has to go wherever Portland trades him. It's not a power trip. It's reality. And honestly, the more Dame and his agent play it this way, the more I think Cronin needs to hold out until he gets a better offer. From somebody OTHER than the Heat. Letting a player behave this way to get where they want to go should never be rewarded. Otherwise there is no point in signing contracts.
Blazers may hold out but I don't believe it will necessarily generate a better offer. I know that's the prevailing theory, I'm just skeptical it will work
Sure, get 3rd teams involded, maybe a 4th team. NOBODY has seen the Dame trade package, yet everyone wants to argue it's the most terrible trade ever seen. Who does Lillard think he is, damaging our future Ummm, that's coming from the same people who are happy with the rebuild and want Lillard to take a hike. Road House movie; 2nd scene, Dalton (Patrick Swayze) walks into the Double Deuce tavern for the first time. The dirty old cowboy bar has a live band playing behind a chicken wire fence. When the song ends, a really drunk guy stands up and throws a beer bottle at the stage and screams "you're paid to play. . PLAY!" I'm seeing that Road House drunk guy analogy used quite frequently in comment sections. It's kinda funny but sad at the same time.
If it gets to the point where his agent screws us on trading him to anywhere but Miami and Miami's offer continues to suck I say don't even trade him. Let the chips fall where they may.
I love Dame, but his camp (per multiple reports) as well as his agent, have been quite nasty during this process. That shows me they have a weak hand, trying to use the media when Cronin holds all the cards, multiple years left and no "no-trade" clause. It seems like a lot of noise from Dame's camp and it's all a bad look. I do wonder about the Supermax extension and then asking out when it first came time that the trade could happen. I'm not saying Dame was cynical, but it's not something that should be dismissed out of hand. I think it will come out eventually. What I wonder about is what if any trades were out there that Cronin said "no" to. I've been saying for awhile, if it came to trading Dame or Sharpe, you trade Dame and I don't say that lightly. The only scenario I would have traded Sharpe for was a no-brainer All-NBA talent and nothing less. Cronin did the correct thing if that's what his options were.
But who gives a shit? He's not Ben Simmons. Even when Kyrie got traded to Boston despite his best wishes, he went and played without complaining. Nobody is buying Dame's bluff and he's not unrestricted after the season. Anyone trading for him would be getting the assurance that he'll be with them the following season and beyond. It's fine to make the request, but these are professionals. He'll play wherever he's traded.
I agree with you. He is under contract for multiple years and don't have a no trade clause. Also, he is a pro, he will not get fat like Harden did.
I don't believe for a second that word from Dame's agent will deter other teams from beating Miami's offer and convince Dame to play for them. My take, Dame's value will be highest in Feb 2024 before the deadline. Why? Because contending teams would have a better idea whether they're enough or need a slight push to get over the hump.
And with Dame having played zero minutes all season he’ll be fresh for a playoff run. I’m operating on the assumption that Dame would be totally isolated from the team and not even allowed in the buildings if he isn’t traded by training camp.
what if teams in the playoff hunt next year can't make a move for Lillard? It's best to get a solid package done now. Miami might freaking suck by the trade deadline.
If it was a good offer Dame would be in Miami already. Miami doesn't have enough to make a good offer without including Bam or Butler.
"It's best to get a solid package done now. Miami might freaking suck by the trade deadline." This is why Miami and Dame should get a deal done now, not why Portland should. I hope Miami does freaking suck by the trade deadline.
In that case, we will be the ones making the moves for Bam or Embiid and go for it. We win the championship and Dame is Finals MVP.
