Was just thinking about this but I think what Giannis was dealing with last year is exactly what we're going through this year with Dame. https://hoopshype.com/storyline/giannis-antetokounmpo-trade/ For those who don't remember, when the Bucks were eliminated last year the entire world was watching to see whether Giannis would sign the supermax. People were figuring out how to trade for Giannis or set up for his impending free agency because he didn't sign the extension when it was made available to him. To me, that was Giannis putting pressure on the organization to do something. They then went out and got (overpaid) Jrue Holiday and at least tried to get Bogdan Bogdonavic. Giannis then signed his supermax in training camp. At this time last year people were wondering how the Bucks could even get better. They had Bledsoe and almost no young assets that teams wanted. Our situation is a bit different because Dame has already signed his extension. There's technically less pressure on the organization. But they way he's forcing their hand is the same. Go for it or let me go. Here's some info on Giannis's situation: https://theathletic.com/2263457/2020/12/15/giannis-antetokounmpo-largest-contract-in-nba-history/ Time for the Blazers to reassure that faith in Dame.
The idea wasn't to trade away the players they have (Middleton), it was to mortgage their future to get an additional player. So, if we did what the Bucks did, it would mean keeping CJ. Who's your Jrue Holiday? He'd have to be a big. The bottom teams (in order of worst to best): Houston - Wood Detroit - Jeremi Grant Orlando - ??? OKC - doesn't want picks, probably Cleveland - Love (can't match salary) Minny - ??? Toronto - Siakam, Boucher, OG Sac - Barnes Chi - Markanen, Thad Young Pels - ??? Hornets - Hayward (can't match salary) Spurs - DaRozen (salary)
Yeah. I mean, however you get a deal done, whether you trade CJ or not, the end roster should be much better than the current one. There should be demonstrable moves that you can show Dame to say, "hey, we actually put our best foot forward." Even if we don't trade CJ, I'd like to move two lightly protected firsts for Jerami Grant (trying to speak it to existence). But then you're just replacing Powell with Grant. So try to move CJ as well, and re-sign Powell. Come out with a roster that can compete.
Yeah, that's the kicker, Bucks were forced to make those moves to get Giannis to re-sign. I mean, we could just string Dame along, dumpster dive and move around the margins like Olshey has done in the past. But I don't think he'd be happy. And I don't think the Blazers would do that to him. You can even hold him for his remaining 3 years and just keep your regular playoff team, but I think he'd make a public trade demand at that point. No team is going to keep an unhappy superstar on the team.
I know you wanna push this Holiday trade idea but sorry im not seeing as many parallels. Think the Harden in Houston comp last yr is more apt. Hope it turns out better
I think you have to give up Ant, Little, and DJJ to get salaries to work, at all, if you're not trading CJ.
CJ for another similar player and the run it back? Gosh I hope not. Of all the go for it moves in the last few years that one failed the hardest. Rockets traded two future firsts and two swaps for Westbrook btw. It was also an all-in future-mortgaging kind of deal.
Giannis had more talent around him last year than Dame has ever had. Then Milwaukee gave him even more talent this year. I would be thrilled if surrounded Dame with the supporting cast Giannis has.
