What does the team do if Dame isn't traded before the season starts?

I don't think he has to play to maintain leverage. Everyone knows what he can do. He just came off his best season. What Joe has to do is show that he's willing to hold onto Dame until he gets a better offer. Playing Dame is irrelevant to that.

 

alternate question to your alternate question: what does it matter?

Blazers are already bound for the lottery next season. More losses because of a lack of a marginal C isn't a bad thing. Hell, bring back Whiteside if it worries Portland

current FA C's:

Omer Yurtseven
Nerlens Noel
Boban Marjanovic
Meyers Leonard
DeAndre Jordan
Willy Hernangomez
Gorgui Dieng
Moses Brown
Tony Bradley
Bol Bol

 

Alternate alternate alternate question: are we just tanking? Or are we trying to win?

 

as I said...agree to disagree on that point

I know you want to move on and get going on the Scoot era. But you are also adamant about not accepting a shit offer for Dame. Those two viewpoints may be in conflict

 

The real question is, can Dame not sit out after his camp made threats about sitting out if he doesn't get to Miami? If he doesn't sit out, that would signal to other teams that Dame will show up and play if they take him.

 

I want a center that is going to help make Scoot look good. I want ROY.

 

trying to win with the realistic expectations.

if the Blazers were really trying to win next season they wouldn't be sitting idle right now. They'd actually be addressing the defense instead of setting up to have the worst perimeter defense ever

 

Ooh, give me Boban. I all in for the Boban experience. I just want to see him have a dance-off with Scoot.

 

We're very close to the luxury tax. I don't see Jody being willing to bring in a free agent and go over the tax.

 

I am not getting him for basketball reasons.

 

sure, he can play for the Blazers, probably without eating any crow. I think most recognize the threat as hollow

and yes, if he plays for Portland, as I've been saying, it's the best chance the Blazers have to generate better trade offers

 

I woodn't

 

current roster:

Damian Lillard
Jerami Grant
Anfernee Simons
Jusuf Nurkic
Matisse Thybulle
Scoot Henderson
Shaedon Sharpe
Nassir Little
Kris Murray
Keon Johnson
Jabari Walker
Rayan Rupert

that's only 12 players. Obviously, the Blazers are holding spots open for a Dame trade, but if that doesn't happen the Blazers will have to add two players anyway. I think they have room under the tax for that

 

I would bet Reath and.... some other cheap ass contract.

 

Giving Scoot the idea of tanking is like planting a seed for him leaving first opportunity he gets. Same with Shaedon.

If we suck, we suck, but play to win. Bronny isn't worth tanking for.

 

I agree. I think a deal will get done this summer. I still don’t think we will get equal value back. Joes just holding out to get as much back as he can but it’s going to be the Blazers that cave. Hopefully Miami can at least get us another 1st round pick.