Some GREAT info from Quick (What Billups investigation took place, where Dame stands with the Team)

He wants to win. He doesn't want to keep losing in the first round. I think that's reasonable. I think it's reasonable for him to look at the roster and think if we just run it back with the same roster the same thing is going to happen. Keep in mind, he's stayed loyal to this franchise through years and years of terrible moves. We botched our window to improve so badly between 16-18 that he has a right to be asking these questions.

And truthfully speaking as a fan, I want to win too. When are we ever going to have another top 10 player IN PORTLAND? Dame is 31, he's not going to be in his prime forever. If you don't think you can win with Dame you should blow it up now. I don't want to go through another season with minor changes and end up getting bounced in the first round again. That does no good for no one.

 

the money doesn't change the minutes...just the role and as I said..Kevin McHale was the second highest paid celtic and a 6 man ....the 6 man is important to a winning team...Chauncey had Lindsay Hunter....Dirk had Jason Terry...we have CJ

 

Now other GM’s know that Lillard wants upgrades and is unhappy. They know that Neil will be desperate. We aren’t going to get any trades heavily in our favor.

 

I remember the big hoopla for Nates intro at WA park.

 

https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2098661&p=92174693#p92174693

Here, I posted in realgm for an unbiased view. Texas Chuck is really good with trade value and has even predicted some deals before. This is his evaluation:

 

Idea based purely on these other teams saving a ton of $.

Dame
Powell
Hayward
Ingram
Adams

 

Regardless of what Dame wants or thinks Blazers ought to do - they are hamstrung by the CBA. Olshey put the team in a position where there just are not a lot of options to improve the team.

 

It was interesting listening to them talk about whether Quick thinks the team is intentionally shutting him down. Honestly, if that's the case, he kinda made his bed. The guy has had an adversarial relationship with the team since back when I covered them. I think he has massively improved since then, but you kinda reap what you sow.

 

Yes, but he also said they don't need to S&T Zeller, they can take Nurk into space. Which would mean using our TPMLE to find a center that could reasonably start in certain matchups. I would need to see who is available. I don't think you can go into next season without a traditional center.

 

So, he's allowed to be a Prima Donna?
He's complicit. Keeping Terry around.

I agree he should have a say, and he's been getting one.
But, if "he wants to win" translates into "we need to keep Carmelo", then you're really saying Dame is a fucking idiot.

You've been suggesting that Dame is pressuring Olshey to make moves. That is what he definitely should be doing.

 

I think you need to throw in some lightly protected first for New Orleans.

Also the resulting team is all offense, no defense.

 

If you're referring to the Melo thing, I just threw that in there lol. I have no idea whether or not Dame would really care if Melo is here if we made my proposed trade.

 

It's beyond frustrating that Neil has sat on his fucking hands for so long that Dame is at a point where it's all or nothing. So damn annoying. Fuck Neil Olshey.

 

Sure, send whatever you picks you want.

Hayward is more than adequate defensively as is Adams, and Ingram was borderline elite in LA.

 

Great point. Derrick Favors would fit into that TPE and I think Utah might actually do that.

Key is to be creative here. It's going to be hard to improve.

 

Quick also said that he doesn't think Norm comes back. He doesn't think Norm wants to play in Portland. I hate to say it, but that was my fear as well. I wasn't super thrilled about the trade because Gary was a restricted free agent and we had the right to match. We really didn't do a good job of showing Norm our best. Chauncey needs to reach out to him.

 

BY THE WAY, on Jerami Grant:

https://pistonpowered.com/2021/06/29/detroit-pistons-why-durant-lillard-jerami-grant-olympic-team/

Lillard and Durant campaigned for Grant to be on the Olympic team. Keep an eye out for Grant.