The someone "special" in a draft was three months ago. The 2024 draft just doesnt have that. I'm really not worried at all about a disgruntled Dame leading this roster to a bunch of early season wins. Odd that you actually posted this. I'm not saying having Dame start for the Blazers next year makes sense or is something I'd aim for. Better to just get a trade done if we can get useful value. The reason to hold off doing a Dame trade the next few weeks is if we think there is more value coming back in December or at the deadline - not trying to immediately tank in October with a roster that needs zero assistance to tank.
Drafts always produce three very good players. Teams just have to identify them. As an example; In the 2012 Anthony Bennett draft; 2. Victor Oladipo 3. Otto Porter, Jr 10. CJ McCollum 15. Giannis 27. Rudy Gobert Obviously this draft had a future MVP and first ballot Hall of Fame player. Unfortunately 14 teams passed on him. Then look at the 1986 Drug/Bust class; 1. Brad Dougherty 2. Len Bias 4. Chuck Person 8. Ron Harper 11. John Salley 24. Arvydas Sabonis 27. Dennis Rodman 30. Nate McMillan 33. Kevin Duckworth 46. Jeff Hornacek 60. Drazen Petrovic Again, teams have to do a better job scouting. The players are there. Other than Rodman, Duck and the Euro's, all of these players were at big schools and were known commodities. There are always five very good players, many that are game changers. Not every top five pick has to be a Hall of Fame level player. If Portland was to get a top five pick next season, I am happy with the career of all the above with the exception of Bias and Petrovic for obvious reasons.
Trail Blazers, Lillard reportedly both ready for him to come to training camp if no trade https://www.yahoo.com/sports/trail-blazers-lillard-reportedly-both-124208426.html
I wish there had been some attribution to the analysis portion of that "article". With statements like: "Portland can talk all they want about another team jumping into the mix but that team does not exist." "he's also 33 years old with four years and $216.2 million remaining on his contract. No team other than Miami has shown any interest because of that." "The trade package Portland thinks it deserves for Lillard is not out there and waiting isn't going to change that." "it is in their best interest to turn the page and move on to what is next. This deal could still get done before camp starts (or early into camp), which would be best for all parties" ...it really feels like this was written by Fentress. A lot of declarative opinions presented as incontrovertible fact. I despise "reporting" like this.
"... but that was days ago. Since then, Lillard has missed a lot of time and hasn't been able to stay healthy."
I agree with your perspective on that article, and the crappy journalism, except the bit about 'being written by Fentress' (even though he's a disciple of crappy journalism). It has the look of an opinion piece ghost-written by Pat Riley
Fentress at this point is coming across as a troll. I hope he gets trolled 24-7 at this point on Twitter and play the game back at him instead of people always taking his bs bait
