I used to be disappointed and frustrated that the team was unable to put more talent around Dame, but I accepted that it was time to move on from Dame at least a year ago.
So what trade do you think was out there that we could have made using Simons and #3 that would have been fair value and would have made Dame happy?
That has been the question from the beginning and it seems there has yet to be a solid answer. But there have been multiple reports of what other teams wanted for their players and it was a boatload that would have been team suicide for Portland.
See, if I say that I'll have five people come in here saying it's wrong and that I don't know shit so there's really no point. Also, he could've tried to make moves outside of trading #3. He did nothing.
I don't know that's an accurate summary of what has happened. Certainly don't know that describes Cronin as a person. I love Dame. When he said he was committed to this city and he was going to try to bring a championship here, I believe he tried (but I don't know). Now that he's asking for a trade and didn't bring the championship, I don't think that makes him a liar or a bad person. The same holds true for Cronin. He has failed on what I believe was his #1 goal, but I don't feel comfortable saying he didn't try. I certainly haven't seen anything that warrants calling him a liar.
I've accepted the reality of situation, but it doesn't take away from the disappointment. I suspect 20 years from now I'll look back and be disappointed. I'm still against moving on for the sake of moving on. That pivot in direction, the assets we get in return, and the organization structure/leaders all need to be well executed before its worth doing.
I would have 100% supported Dame if he asked for a trade if he hadn’t limited it to one team. Even if it was 3 teams I would have backed him. Instead he’s chose the the route he spent the last 11 years calling out other NBA players for “running form the grind” and “joining super teams”.
What would you have done different??! Hmmmm!! Tell me, what would you have done?? You're not the Blazers GM. You don't know how hard Joe works the phones. You're not in the front office. What would you have done ?? I think too many people believe Danny Marang and his corporate cue cards.
I'd start with moving Norman Powell for a better asset then Keon Johnson and a Bledsoe buyout, then go from there.
I like the plan... My plan would've also been to get better players, make better trades, and force players to sign for less money, all while hiring the deepest coaching staff ever assembled. That's what I would've done. Easy peasy!
