sorry but you misread the quote you're responding to. I didn't say top FAs don't leave their team to sign with PDX, I said they always migrate from small markets to bigger markets. LeBron returning to hometown Cleveland is about the only exception to that rule I can think of. Portland is just one of the many smaller markets that never ever signs top FAs... when was the last time Milwaukee signed a top tier guy with options? Or Minnesota? Or Toronto, Utah, OKC or Sacto? Maybe Durant resigns with OKC next offseason, but if he doesn't here's guessing it won't be to sign with Portland (who will have a ton of capspace).
Remember following the Donahue scandal how Stern was going to look into the various allegations made that officials were fixing games? He stonewalled the claims that games were fixed per league order, but recall how he was going to seriously look into setting things up similar to baseball and other pro sports where their officials would operate independently from the league to address the league's lack of credibility. Of course nothing of consequence happened & the NBA remains the only American "sport" that has it's officials reporting to the commish as it's boss. I'm pretty sure the players cynically watched all that unfold... and here we are.
Dame got paid this past offseason. When his next contract is up I won't be the least bit surprised if he has other priorities, and I wouldn't blame him if he did. I'd also wouldn't expect him to level with the public as to exactly why.
STOMP