Forum Game How do you build a contender around Dame in the next couple years?

Put good players around him and maintain flexibility. If it's not enough we can trade Dame if/when he asks out.

 

Zeke's Detroit Pistons. Then again, he was only 6'1".

 

How?

 

Ya can't do it.

 

With more 1st round picks it may be possible, but not getting value for RoCo and Powell effectively torpedoed any idea of rebuilding with Dame. The only possible way it could occur is for a group of vets to decide they are willing to take the vet min to come to Portland and build an aging super team. That ain't happening.

 

Cap space to make lopsided deals. Don't commit bad (long term) contracts.

 

But that's usually how you use cap space to make lopsided deals. You take back bad contracts. And what assets are we providing in those lopsided deals?

 

We'll have assets, I don't think for a second that Cronin is done.

 

How do you build a contender around Dame?
Well, you start by trading away the ball hog. This will open up more ball movement (aka: passing) and a feeling of all being involved.
But, before you do that, you get rid of dead weight in the starting lineup, and replace with solid players, hungry to make a name for themselves.
After that, you just ride out the rest of the year, hopefully, you've created enough salary flexibility to make some trades or better yet, acquire a borderline all star or two.
I think that is the plan.

 

I didn't use that trade as the template. I used the RoCo-CJ-Powell-Nance trades as an indicator of return because right now, the same GM would be making the Dame trade. Don't know about the off-season

but this discussion is going nowhere...we simply aren't going to agree at this time. I don't give a flying fuck how many times people say building a team around Dame can't be done. None of you can predict the future. What I want to see is at least one honest effort to do it before giving up

 

Okay, if we can put together a supporting cast similar to what Zeke had, I'm all for it. He was in his late 20's with one of the best supporting casts in the game, so it will be a challenge.

Of course, with the value of Dame right now, there is a much better chance of using him to build that team around Simons. The key to is all, is to trade him for a player who becomes the best player on the team, and Simons is 2nd.

 

Trick question. You don’t.

 

Exactly. We owe him that much.

 

1. Do well in the lottery. Draft Jabari Smith and hope Shaeden Sharpe declares and draft him, too.

2. Use your cap space judiciously on at least two guys who are shooters and who will work hard on defense. Not guys who can shoot, but guys who make open 3s on offense if they do anything at all.

3. If you have room left, sign or get a competent back-up big who can play 12-15 minutes per night without killing his own team.

4. Invest in bubblewrap to keep Nas from breaking.

5. Try to hold on to DSJ, Justise and Ben (unless you have to trade them; I can live with letting them go in a deal). They've shown me they can play roles that will benefit a decent team.

6. Hope Ibou Dianko Badji is available with our second-round pick.

 

DSJ can't shoot..
But he does EVERYTHING else really really well.
Love how he pushes and passes...
He is the type of guy a winning team needs.
Very impressed with Winslow. He seems a 'jack of all trades' type.

 

Of course, holding on to Lillard long enough to lure a big name free agent and then trading him would not be a bad plan.

 

DSJ doesn't have to shoot because he does everything else the Blazers need in a back-up guard, and the fact that he can't shoot might be the one thing that means there won't be a market to sign him away from the Blazers. He has value here.

But I meant for most of our other spots, fill them with shooters like the Bucks and so many other winning teams have done in recent years. If there's a skill that can help your team in a role player, it's being able to knock down open 3s consistently when your offensive stars occupy extra defenders.

 

Now, since deadline past...Beal + Draymond (forces his way to join Dame)...is our only hope for a "contender". And fwiw, both attended Lillards wedding last year

And yes, I'm ruling out a draft day miracle already. Lol

 

Watching the game last night with one of my sons, who is 9. Trying to explain all the trades and money, draft picks, he loves it. And surprisingly gets it. Then he asked "do you think they will win another championship in your life"? Ugh. Not sure bud. But hopefully yours.

Excuse me I think I have something in my eye

 

Anthony Davis when they blow up the Lakers next year?