Dame's current situation parallel's Giannis from last offseason?

[B-Roy]

Was just thinking about this but I think what Giannis was dealing with last year is exactly what we're going through this year with Dame.

https://hoopshype.com/storyline/giannis-antetokounmpo-trade/

For those who don't remember, when the Bucks were eliminated last year the entire world was watching to see whether Giannis would sign the supermax. People were figuring out how to trade for Giannis or set up for his impending free agency because he didn't sign the extension when it was made available to him. To me, that was Giannis putting pressure on the organization to do something. They then went out and got (overpaid) Jrue Holiday and at least tried to get Bogdan Bogdonavic. Giannis then signed his supermax in training camp. At this time last year people were wondering how the Bucks could even get better. They had Bledsoe and almost no young assets that teams wanted.

Our situation is a bit different because Dame has already signed his extension. There's technically less pressure on the organization. But they way he's forcing their hand is the same. Go for it or let me go.

Here's some info on Giannis's situation:

https://theathletic.com/2263457/2020/12/15/giannis-antetokounmpo-largest-contract-in-nba-history/

On Dec. 5, Lasry and Edens joined Antetokounmpo and Saratsis at the superstar’s River Hills home for their first in-person discussion about the long-term contract. That is when the Bucks formally presented Antetokounmpo with the five-year, $228.2 million contract, sources said.

Starting in the mid-afternoon, the meeting lasted several hours with Horst also making an appearance to chat with Antetokounmpo about the roster and strategy moving forward. Milwaukee made a series of offseason acquisitions, including trading for Holiday, an All-Star guard and two-way stalwart, to enhance the roster after last season’s second-round playoff defeat. After the potential Bogdan Bogdanovic acquisition fell apart, the Bucks’ front office had a plan in place. It was prepared for the moment, signing key role players in DJ Augustin, Bobby Portis, Bryn Forbes, Torrey Craig and re-signing Pat Connaughton.

That meeting ended with no resolution. Antetokounmpo took in the information he received from the Bucks and told them he would make a decision once he had time to process things.

Antetokounmpo turned 26 the next day and the Bucks practiced together as a team for the first time during the 2020-21 season following their Saturday off-day. Following that practice, two-time All-Star Khris Middleton informed reporters he had hatched a plan with Connaughton to use the birthday as a way to make sure his teammate of seven seasons knew how the rest of the team felt about Antetokounmpo’s future with the Bucks.

On Dec. 10, the Bucks held what was described as a positive and intimate dinner with Antetokounmpo and core players such as Middleton, Brook Lopez and Connaughton as well as Budenholzer and his coaching staff, sources said. It provided everyone the opportunity to discuss the future and build camaraderie entering the new season, another moment for familiar faces to prove to Giannis their commitment toward him — and toward winning.

Even with positive vibes emanating from the dinner as the team got together for their next campaign, there was still no final resolution.

When it comes to Antetokounmpo’s concerns, this was a matter of trust and absorbing all of the information.

The Bucks believed that Antetokounmpo had faith in their intentions: Do whatever it takes to build the franchise’s first championship team since 1971. But would good intentions be enough in a small market that isn’t exactly known for luring free agents?

It seems that was one of the main questions in play. And with so many other suitors from warmer markets waiting to steal him away, the Bucks knew all along that it would be hard to overcome this built-in disadvantage.

Yet all throughout these past few weeks, the Bucks’ confidence was buoyed by the fact that Antetokounmpo never went dark in terms of communication. In situations such as these, there’s nothing more concerning than a good, old-fashioned ghosting. The fact that it didn’t happen helped them all sleep a little better at night.

But when it came to his final decision on how he would see the Milwaukee situation, there was this tricky dilemma too: One of the most effective ways of cutting through that market disadvantage — the incumbent star player recruiting fellow stars to come join him — went against Antetokounmpo’s nature. For most of his seven NBA seasons, Antetokounmpo had made it clear that he had no interest in being buddy-buddy with stars around the league.

He declined invitations to play with the best of the best during the offseason, most notably a summer workout in 2018 that included three MVPs (LeBron James, Kevin Durant and James Harden). Why join them when you’re trying to beat them?

Bogdanovic headed for Atlanta. The NBA launched a tampering investigation into the ordeal, in large part, because news of an alleged agreement had leaked via a news outlet nearly five days before the formal start of free agency. The Bucks knew that none of this would help, but it was tough to tell how much it would hurt.

In the end, Antetokounmpo answered the question for them.

Time for the Blazers to reassure that faith in Dame.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

The idea wasn't to trade away the players they have (Middleton), it was to mortgage their future to get an additional player.

So, if we did what the Bucks did, it would mean keeping CJ. Who's your Jrue Holiday? He'd have to be a big.

The bottom teams (in order of worst to best):
Houston - Wood
Detroit - Jeremi Grant
Orlando - ???
OKC - doesn't want picks, probably
Cleveland - Love (can't match salary)
Minny - ???
Toronto - Siakam, Boucher, OG
Sac - Barnes
Chi - Markanen, Thad Young
Pels - ???
Hornets - Hayward (can't match salary)
Spurs - DaRozen (salary)

 

[wizenheimer]

The idea wasn't to trade away the players they have (Middleton), it was to mortgage their future to get an additional player.

So, if we did what the Bucks did, it would mean keeping CJ. Who's your Jrue Holiday?

Bucks traded their 3rd best player for Holiday. CJ is Portland's 3rd best player

 

[illmatic99]

Giannis didnt have a signed 4yr supermax contract before they made all their moves

 

[B-Roy]

The idea wasn't to trade away the players they have (Middleton), it was to mortgage their future to get an additional player.

So, if we did what the Bucks did, it would mean keeping CJ. Who's your Jrue Holiday? He'd have to be a big.

The bottom teams:
Houston - Wood
Detroit - Jeremi Grant
Orlando - ???
OKC - doesn't want picks, probably
Cleveland - Love (can't match salary)
Minny - ???

Yeah. I mean, however you get a deal done, whether you trade CJ or not, the end roster should be much better than the current one. There should be demonstrable moves that you can show Dame to say, "hey, we actually put our best foot forward."

Even if we don't trade CJ, I'd like to move two lightly protected firsts for Jerami Grant (trying to speak it to existence). But then you're just replacing Powell with Grant. So try to move CJ as well, and re-sign Powell. Come out with a roster that can compete.

 

[B-Roy]

Giannis didnt have a signed 4yr supermax contract before they made all their moves

Yeah, that's the kicker, Bucks were forced to make those moves to get Giannis to re-sign.

I mean, we could just string Dame along, dumpster dive and move around the margins like Olshey has done in the past. But I don't think he'd be happy. And I don't think the Blazers would do that to him. You can even hold him for his remaining 3 years and just keep your regular playoff team, but I think he'd make a public trade demand at that point. No team is going to keep an unhappy superstar on the team.

 

[illmatic99]

Yeah, that's the kicker, Bucks were forced to make those moves to get Giannis to re-sign.

I mean, we could just string Dame along, dumpster dive and move around the margins like Olshey has done in the past. But I don't think he'd be happy. And I don't think the Blazers would do that to him. You can even hold him for his remaining 3 years and just keep your regular playoff team, but I think he'd make a public trade demand at that point. No team is going to keep an unhappy superstar on the team.

I know you wanna push this Holiday trade idea but sorry im not seeing as many parallels. Think the Harden in Houston comp last yr is more apt. Hope it turns out better

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Yeah. I mean, however you get a deal done, whether you trade CJ or not, the end roster should be much better than the current one. There should be demonstrable moves that you can show Dame to say, "hey, we actually put our best foot forward."

Even if we don't trade CJ, I'd like to move two lightly protected firsts for Jerami Grant (trying to speak it to existence). But then you're just replacing Powell with Grant. So try to move CJ as well, and re-sign Powell. Come out with a roster that can compete.

I think you have to give up Ant, Little, and DJJ to get salaries to work, at all, if you're not trading CJ.

 

[Hoopguru]

Yeah, that's the kicker, Bucks were forced to make those moves to get Giannis to re-sign.

I mean, we could just string Dame along, dumpster dive and move around the margins like Olshey has done in the past. But I don't think he'd be happy. And I don't think the Blazers would do that to him. You can even hold him for his remaining 3 years and just keep your regular playoff team, but I think he'd make a public trade demand at that point. No team is going to keep an unhappy superstar on the team.

I think it’s possible that offers were made for CJ over the years but Dame wanted him here.

 

[B-Roy]

I know you wanna push this Holiday trade idea but sorry im not seeing as many parallels. Think the Harden in Houston comp last yr is more apt. Hope it turns out better

CJ for another similar player and the run it back? Gosh I hope not. Of all the go for it moves in the last few years that one failed the hardest.

Rockets traded two future firsts and two swaps for Westbrook btw. It was also an all-in future-mortgaging kind of deal.

 

[B-Roy]

I think you have to give up Ant, Little, and DJJ to get salaries to work, at all, if you're not trading CJ.

I think you trade CJ. Or at least try your hardest. But that’s not enough.

 

[Tince]

Giannis had more talent around him last year than Dame has ever had. Then Milwaukee gave him even more talent this year.

I would be thrilled if surrounded Dame with the supporting cast Giannis has.