Oh stop. This isn’t even a case of semantics. It’s a direct quote from Dame saying there’s a choice to be made: go young, ie trade Dame or get something fine, ie don’t trade Dame.
So you think it’s more rational to try and add enough pieces with our assets to Dame so we can compete for a title in the next couple of years?
I google searched "Lillard 'there's a choice to be made' " and wasn't able to find it, but I'll take your word that it is a direct quote.
I was already taking his word for it, but your word is the gold standard, so I'm not doubting it at all!
If Cronin gets Chicago to accept the 5 2nd rounders, then that is the equivalent of GP2 being traded for the Blazers conditional 1st rounder plus an 8 million-plus TPE. That would be good, but I’m not expecting it. If the Knicks pick at 23 pays off the Chicago-debt and frees up the 1st rounders, then I won’t have to listen to national media figures chatter about how Portland doesn’t have trade capital … lazy pieces of work that they are. But nooooo, it’s just a coincidence that Cronin got 5 2nd rounders and the Knicks pick. Some people here wanted Wiseman (or Bamba) and I get that. Even if it was just to have the contract for trades. Instead, I’m happy with the picks AND the flexibility to use the TPE while giving up nothing in return. Cleaner.
Interview with Stephen A Smith: "Not only will I have a decision to make, but I think the organization will too. ... Are you gonna go young, or are we gonna get something done?" -Damian Lillard on the Blazers' offseason
I don't see that many people that "want" Dame traded. I do see a lot of people open to the idea that if in the long term it makes the team better, do what is best for the team. We have been sub .5o0 4 of the last 4 years. It's not like by trading Dame, the organization would be walking away from some brilliant playoff run.
I just think going from start to finish with a guy like Dame is worth more to the franchise and the city than trading him. There’s value in that on many levels. And you never know what’ll happen on the court…
I agree this is likely the case. Though, I am open to trading him if the franchise can get the appropriate value in return. As you said, that is unlikely.
But you are assuming that the Blazers won’t be able to make the trades needed for a playoff run. You’re basing that on the past four years when Olshey had screwed up the roster with expensive mid-level talent and hamstrung the ability to make trades using future firsts by making a horrible deal with Chicago. Cronin dumped those bad contracts and can clear the future first problem by cutting a deal with the Bulls. He has two good firsts this year to use in trade. Basically, it’s put up or shut up time, but he deserves the chance to make things happen that could result in a contending team.
Brooklyn has the 21st and 22nd pick this year. They can't really trade any of their own picks, so it's a future PHX pick or Philly pick that could turn in to a 2nd. So 2 late picks in this draft, no prospects, and questionable future picks? No thank you.
If we can get an all star type player (Siakam-Brown) without losing Shae, then really, within a couple years, we could have three bonafide stars plus Grant. That could be a contending team, thats what Dames expectations are.
Yes, 3 of 4 years. I'm not assuming anything, certainly with this ownership group. Perhaps ask a question instead of making an incorrect statement.
Wow. You went from zero to snark in 6.3 seconds. Impressive. I wasn’t trying to give you grief, just pointing out that your statement that the Blazers aren’t going to have a brilliant playoff run if they keep Dame assumes that recent inability of Olshey to get anything done continues with Cronin. Assumptions based on recent history aren’t necessarily bad, and you may well be right. I was simply trying to point out that Cronin holds the best hand for making a trade that’s been available since Olshey screwed the team over. It’s on Joe to show that he can make things happen that will make the team contend with Dame. If he can’t, he should pivot to the rebuild and trade Dame.
No, an incorrect absolute statement was made, and I suggested a different course of reply. Impressive how incorrectly that was taken.....again.
