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

He hasn't thrown his teammates under the bus, at least not publicly. I don't see him ever doing that.

But they need to swing big. Everyone knew the Holiday trade was an overpay last year, but the Bucks had to do it. Who is our Holiday? Every offseason a star or near star player gets traded that make people say "wow, I didn't know he was on the market" or "wow, I can't believe X got THAT much".

And no, I don't think swinging McCollum for Simmons, even in a 1:1 swap will make Dame happy. I think Dame views those two players on the same tier.

 

You think so? I would think that keeping Norm and bringing in Simmons would be a pretty massive step in the right direction.

 

He's no star but Neil did trade 2 first rounders for Roco last year thinking he was the missing piece because Dame said "go for it." the problem this year is we have 0 assets.

 

olshey spent a good portion of his press conference mentioning how getting another star doesn’t automatically mean you get closer to a championship. Then he used some of the teams in the conference finals as examples. I’m not sure Dame is getting as deep with his demands as you’re suggesting.

 

Okay, seriously though. How many firsts for Siakam? Bucks traded 3 firsts (unprotected!!) and 2 swaps for Holiday. Our firsts are going to be much more valuable because let's be honest, our team is more likely to combust because it's not as good as the Bucks roster even after adding Siakam.

I just can't figure out a way to match salaries without moving McCollum...

 

And I think he did that because Dame wanted RoCo (and Jones). Clearly RoCo (and Jones) was not good enough, and I think that is part of Neil's frustration with Dame as well. "You asked for these guys, what more do you want?"

0 assets is not true by the way.

We have all our firsts since we can trade our 2022 first after the draft. 2022 first, 2023 swap, 2024 first, 2025 swap, 2026 first. That's the Holiday package. Add in Little/Simons and maybe figure out a way to S&T Powell and it's definitely not nothing. An unprotected 2026 pick will be super valuable. I know Neil hates trading future firsts, but he may have to because he won't on the job to make those picks if Dame asks out.

 

I'm talking about Dame's perception. I think we clearly need to add, not just replace. We know Dame has a high opinion of CJ. Probably higher than most people in the league.

 

CJ has to go. If the team hasn't learned at this point that we can't win with him and Dame on defense, I seriously question how intelligent our front office is.

 

Dame has to see the other (contender) teams that have traded the "future package" for star/near-star level players in the past few years right? Here I'll name them:

Lakers
Clippers
Heat
Brooklyn
Milwaukee
Houston

You don't think that's the core of the disconnect between Olshey and Dame? Olshey doesn't want to do that. He wants to tinker on the margins and keep future flexibility. Dame wants to win now, he's 31 already, put up MVP level season/playoff performances, and got bounced by a team that got swept the next round.

And yes, I'm aware most of those teams are not in the conference finals now, and some failed (Houston lol), but if we don't meaningfully improve the roster to a point where Dame is confident in it, he is asking out. I guarantee it. Olshey basically said as much yesterday.

You also HAD to have noticed how his tone regarding the roster was completely different than his tone in the press conference after we lost to Denver right? In that one, he was talking about "minimal roster changes". The one yesterday he spent paragraphs talking about how he needs to improve the roster. That is because of Dame.

 

This is why I have been so frustrated with Dame. On the one hand, I have wanted him to put pressure on the team to make changes..... but he can't simultaneously expect us to keep his best friend despite CJ being a horrible fit. Either he wants to win, and the team needs to make massive changes to contend, or this is his own personal fun clubhouse. It can't be both ways.

Trading CJ for a similar star at another position opens up so many options at shooting guard, and should hopefully make the team run smoother. If Dame doesn't see that, you just make the trade and hope that winning changes his mind. Because bringing back CJ will have similar results next season. I don't see much changing with those two still starting together.

 

If Olshey doesn't do what it takes to build a winning team, it's Olshey that's out, not Dame....one of those two guys is replaceable, the other is not and don't think for a second that Dame doesn't know this

 

Olshey has boxed himself into a corner. He doesn't have many tools to improve the team. Even keeping the status quo of last season will be difficult (with the likelihood of loosing Powell).

 

I'm not convinced that Dame would have ANY issue with trading CJ as long as the talent level increased. The holdup on a trade has always been Olshey.

 

in this scenario are you trading CJ or making him the 2nd/3rd "star?

 

If Dame asks out we are going to trade him. Players have the power, no matter how long their contracts are. And the team isn't going to hold him hostage.

I don't think Dame wants to leave. He wants to win IN PORTLAND. But he's on the clock. He can't wait for 2-3 years for our draft picks to develop. Especially when he just saw what happened to our last top 10 pick.

The solace of moving the futures package is that, even if it fails, we can likely recoup some of our investment in a Dame trade. Not all, but some.

 

And not CJs value around the league? Olshey overvalues him, but he’s also overpaid. I think it’s gonna take more than just CJ to get a clear upgrade. We’re probably gonna have to add picks or a young asset like Simons or Nas, unless we do a trade for Simmons, where a straight up deal would probably make sense for both sides.

The better question though is, outside of Simmons, who would we target? Quick mentioned Boston. Would swapping CJ for Smart be a clear upgrade?

 

Here's what I think.

If you trade CJ, and replace him with someone on the same tier, that doesn't make Dame happy.

If you add a meaningful player to the team and don't trade CJ, he will be happy (for now).

If you trade CJ, and replace him with two players on the same tier, or one player and another starter, he will be happy (for now).

Both scenarios take into account that we retain Powell, assume losing Powell makes Dame unhappy. You have to keep him, or trade him for something similar.

So I'm not saying don't trade CJ, but a lateral move won't make Dame happy. Just how I'm reading things. And no I don't know what trades are out there or what deals are possible that match one or the other criteria. That is Olshey's job. But if he spends another season tinkering on the margins or just re-signs Powell and some minimum guys, I think Dame will be pissed.

 

Are you basing this on something you read or just a gut feeling?

 

Do we really know that for sure?