Let’s break down the situation:
I just don’t see any realistic path forward keeping Dame… and his comments suggest he would want out if we keep the draft pick. I strongly believe it’s the right time to part ways.
What do you guys think?
I get why this triggered some people, so thought I'd go over it line by line:
• Dame will be 33 years old to start this season -
True
• He has played 29 and 58 games last 2 seasons -
Sounds right
• His age will be 33, 34, 35, 36 for the next 4 years of his contract -
If point 1 is right, this would seem to follow
• He will make $46, $49, $56, $63 million per the next 4 years of his contract -
This is the part where I believe the cost is going up while the value will go down.
• Getting a Top 3 pick in a draft is rare… and this draft is supposed to be the best in years, w/highly regarded top 3 players -
Consensus
• We hit the jackpot last year with potential superstar in Sharpe -
True....and most Blazer fans seem very excited
• We have Simons, who averaged 21 ppg at 23 years old who is similar to Dame but bigger, younger, and cheaper -
Agree except how similar he is to Dame. Size/D/ball dominant - Yes. Leader/Clutch - No
• Trading these young assets for win now player can set the rebuild back a decade -
I believe that could easily be the case.
• Unless we get a superstar like Giannis, Embiid, or a healthy Zion… I don’t see any possible acquisition that can take a team from 5th worst to title contender. -
Agreed. Opinion of course, but makes a ton of sense.
• For a potential new roster to even be competitive, it would take time for the players to gel… and would have to assume Dame stays healthy from age 33-36 -
Not healthy for a while. Tougher as he gets older. Reality.
• The west is extremely stacked… w/Suns trade and other teams likely to make moves… and the Nuggets will be near unbeatable with their talent, experience, and chemistry -
Younger, better, and with room to improve.
• This is probably the last chance we have to get any significant return for Dame in trade -
Likely as he gets older and his contract gets bigger, that certainly seems logical, although not guaranteed.
There is a lot there that makes sense. I get the emotional attachment to Dame. What I don't get is the abject belief by some that magically adding a player here or there while decimating the roster and Draft capital, suddenly turns the Blazer into this legit contender. I wish that would happen, but that is not how good decisions are made. And I still come back to the part where it's incredibly difficult to find a small, ball dominant PG of Dame's age that is leading a team to a title....or even to the Finals. Love Dame and what he has done, but am a Blazer fan first long before he got here and long after he will be gone, no matter when that is. It is my opinion that chasing something that has never worked, trying to get it to work as it gets more expensive and inevitably, less productive is not the best for the franchise. It goes against my emotion of wishing that it could happen and wanting to happen with Dame....just like I wanted it to happen with Drexler (close) Roy/Aldridge/Oden (damn injuries) and every other iteration of Blazer team that had a great player on it.
It will end at some point. Just what shape is the franchise in when it does? It's what makes it a tough decision emotionally, but an easier one logically.
Whatever happens, I wish for the best for this franchise, the team, the fans and the city.