What does the team do if Dame isn't traded before the season starts?

Discussion in 'Portland Trail Blazers' started by Natebishop3, Jul 14, 2023.

  1. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    Messages:
    92,983
    Likes Received:
    55,710
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    TBpup and I were talking about this. If Dame isn't traded this summer, and Joe continues to pause on free agents and trades, what does the team look like in game 1?

    We lost Eubanks, Knox, Watford, and Reddish. We haven't added anyone except our rookies. Scoot, Murray, and Rupert.

    Do we play Dame? That seems risky. What if he gets injured?

    Do we play Nurk? Who is the backup center right now? Reath?

    I think there's a very good chance that Dame isn't traded before training camp and I'm really wondering what our rotation looks like we're still in this holding pattern.

    Here's who is currently on the roster:

    upload_2023-7-14_9-33-31.png
     
  2. blazerfan11

    blazerfan11 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2019
    Messages:
    10,716
    Likes Received:
    10,833
    Trophy Points:
    113
    The same as if Dame hadn't asked for a trade.

    The one thing that Billups can't do is start Simons and Dame together. It's the worst pairing possible out of all the combinations.
     
    blazerkor likes this.
  3. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    Messages:
    92,983
    Likes Received:
    55,710
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    I just don't think we can play Dame. It hurts Scoot's development. Dame could get injured and hurt his trade value. I would rather Dame hold out.
     
    blazerkor likes this.
  4. blazerfan11

    blazerfan11 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2019
    Messages:
    10,716
    Likes Received:
    10,833
    Trophy Points:
    113
    If Lillard does not make it easier to trade him, then there really isn't any reason for the Blazers to continue the process.
    And he should understand that. That means he plays for the trailblazers for the rest of his contract.
     
  5. maxiep

    maxiep RIP Dr. Jack

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2008
    Messages:
    28,295
    Likes Received:
    5,864
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Merchant Banker
    Location:
    Denver, CO & Lake Oswego, OR
    Dame plays and show why he's a bargain at the price we're asking for him.
     
    blazerfan11 likes this.
  6. blazerfan11

    blazerfan11 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2019
    Messages:
    10,716
    Likes Received:
    10,833
    Trophy Points:
    113
    From the point of view of people who wanted to him to stay, I think they would want him to play and give it a shot.

    My main point here is that if Dame does not end up saying he will be happy playing anywhere, to me that means he's OK staying with Trail Blazers.

    I do not think it will be acceptable, nor should it be acceptable to the owners, that a player will sit and do nothing. either he should agree to be traded to where the trailblazers want him to go or he should play.
     
  7. blazerfan11

    blazerfan11 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    May 11, 2019
    Messages:
    10,716
    Likes Received:
    10,833
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I know you want him gone (traded) and I understand that point of view.

    But I don't think that has been the intention of Joe Cronin. Cronin, I believe, would be just as happy or probably even happier if Dame stays.

    I think this is something that people haven't considered. And that means Dame has even less leverage than he thinks.
     
  8. 1 Eye Jack

    1 Eye Jack Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    Messages:
    2,243
    Likes Received:
    1,810
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Vice President for Display company
    Location:
    Albany, Oregon
    I think there’s zero chance he won’t be traded by training camp. Miami or Cronin will cave before then. My guess is it happens between now and next Friday, Miami has to figure out their roster and fill in the gaps before all free agents are gone. I wouldn’t be surprised if they sign Watford.

    If I was a betting man and I am I would bet deal gets done this weekend
     
    BigGameDamian likes this.
  9. Chris Craig

    Chris Craig (Blazersland) I'm Your Huckleberry Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2015
    Messages:
    58,958
    Likes Received:
    59,214
    Trophy Points:
    113
    The easy answer is, if they are still here, we start Dame and Nurkic. They are under contract. But, you have to wonder if Dame and the Blazers would agree for him to sit until he is traded.

    That said, I think the Heat will cave before then. They are desperate for him. I think they will find a third/fourth team to make the deal work, get Portland what they want, and get Dame.

    We can afford to go into next season with Dame. They can't afford to go into next season without him, having lost Strus and Vincent and having alienated Herro and Duncan.
     
    Natebishop3 likes this.
  10. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    Messages:
    92,983
    Likes Received:
    55,710
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Alternate question - what if it takes 2 months to trade him and now there's no free agents left? If Nurk goes too... who is our center?
     
  11. Chris Craig

    Chris Craig (Blazersland) I'm Your Huckleberry Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2015
    Messages:
    58,958
    Likes Received:
    59,214
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Then we will have a very young and shitty team. There will be guys to sign, just not guys who are good. Might have to go with Reath and upgrade Badji to a real contract. Probably not, there are centers out there. Again, not good ones, but probably better than them at this point.
     
  12. andalusian

    andalusian Season - Restarted

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2008
    Messages:
    15,066
    Likes Received:
    14,331
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    San Marcos, CA
    If no bigs come back in the trade, I assume Badji until the trade deadline.
     
  13. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    Messages:
    92,983
    Likes Received:
    55,710
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    I would actually rather have Reath if we can keep him. I think he's more ready to play big minutes. Badji needs a LOT of work.
     
  14. andalusian

    andalusian Season - Restarted

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2008
    Messages:
    15,066
    Likes Received:
    14,331
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    San Marcos, CA
    Whatever, honestly. Slightly less undersirable?

    (Nothing personal about these guys, they are just not NBA caliber centers based on the little I have seen of them).
     
  15. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    Messages:
    92,983
    Likes Received:
    55,710
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    Who else is even out there at this point?
     
  16. andalusian

    andalusian Season - Restarted

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2008
    Messages:
    15,066
    Likes Received:
    14,331
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    San Marcos, CA
    Well, I am still hoping for a Ben Simmons trade option and running him at Center. I am shocked no-one ever tried to do that in the NBA - it just seems like the perfect spot for him in the modern-nba with his aversion to shooting but his ability to switch on defense.
     
    Natebishop3 likes this.
  17. Natebishop3

    Natebishop3 Don't tread on me!

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    Messages:
    92,983
    Likes Received:
    55,710
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Location:
    Portland, OR
    True.
     
  18. Chris Craig

    Chris Craig (Blazersland) I'm Your Huckleberry Staff Member Global Moderator Moderator

    Joined:
    Jun 25, 2015
    Messages:
    58,958
    Likes Received:
    59,214
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Beggars can't be choosers
     
  19. wizenheimer

    wizenheimer Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2008
    Messages:
    23,975
    Likes Received:
    36,667
    Trophy Points:
    113
    I don't agree with that

    the way for Portland to maximize Dame's trade value is to play him as if they were keeping him unless a great offer was made. Sitting him out doesn't generate great offers; it just tells teams to make low-ball offers

    yeah, there's a risk he gets injured but the NBA is not a risk-free zone

    Cronin is starting to reverse the perception and gain the upper hand on leverage because it's looking like Portland may very well expect Dame to show up for training camp and play next season. Signalling it's bluff by sitting Dame out hurts the leverage Cronin is building
     
    crandc and andalusian like this.
  20. 1 Eye Jack

    1 Eye Jack Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2008
    Messages:
    2,243
    Likes Received:
    1,810
    Trophy Points:
    113
    Occupation:
    Vice President for Display company
    Location:
    Albany, Oregon
    Why not make it 3-4 team trade bring Phoenix into it and trade Nurk plus one of the first rounders we get Ayton. Solves problems for everyone Phoenix dumps huge contract and get a pick back which they desperately need. Miami gets Lillard and we get a young center with some upside plus draft picks

    or do 3 team deal with Brooklyn where they get Hero we get Ben Simmons as our center. We become run and gun team
     

Share This Page