Going forward

[Mediocre Man]

Let me start by saying this is a lot of conjecture. A lot of hypotheses. Frankly, a lot of make believe.

Going forward, what do you think would give us the best, and quickest, chance of winning, or at least seriously competing?

Is it Dame and another all-star type like Siakam? That would likely minus Ant and Sharpe, +

What type of player and what would it take could we get?

Or would adding young pieces like Jalen Brown or Mikel Bridges plus multiple picks to go along with Ant, Sharpe, Reddish, etc with a deeper bench be better?

How many good young players and picks could Dame fetch?

What type of coach is best for either roster?

 

[HomerLovesKoolAid]

OK Ban this guy. He's making sense and being pragmatic.

 

[Mediocre Man]

OK Ban this guy. He's making sense and being pragmatic.

It’s the meds, I promise

 

[riverman]

Moving forward we need a great coach first and foremost. Until the super teams flame out in the playoffs and break up...it's hard to say who we could target to pair with Dame but I know the guy who drafted him first in the allstar draft is the guy he most wants to play with.

 

[e_blazer]

I think the question is whether a “big 3” of Dame, Grant and, say, Siakam is enough to compete with the other contenders. Like MM said, you’re going to have to probably give up Ant, Sharpe and picks to get him. It’s certainly an interesting core, but is it enough? Maybe, if you also upgrade Nurk and find a solid starting 2 guard. Cronin’s got some serious work to do to pull it off. It would be a lot easier to keep Ant and Sharpe as the starting backcourt for the rebuild, and trade Dame to someplace he’d like to go in exchange for a massive trove of first round picks and players.

I’m hoping for the contender around Dame, but I’m enough of a realist to know there’s a time to say when and change to a new plan. This team has been straddling the mediocrity fence for so long they’ve worn holes in the crotches of their shorts.

 

[Cugel]

I just don't see Cronin being able to land a player that transforms this team into a top 10 team. Anyone capable of that (in theory) will be plucked away by teams with tremendous assets like UTA and OKC. Start with a list of who is available. I doubt Jaylen Brown or Bridges are even available. Maybe Siakim but I am not convinced TOR is blowing it up. Would have to be a risky player like the perpetually injured KAT.

Plus, how do you transform record low defense to a top defense or shit even average? Billups has to go. He ain't the guy.

 

[Blazinaway]

Been consistent with my opinion for quite a while, BLOW IT THE FUCK UP! Love Dame, trade him somewhere where he has a shot at a title nd we get some picks/players back to rebuild.

 

[wizenheimer]

does anybody honestly believe the Blazers would ever trade Dame unless he publicly asks for a trade?

as far as what would be the quickest way to contend: we know what it would take...a top-10 player and a top-20 player, plus several excellent role players. Portland has the top-10ish player now in Dame. And it took them 25 years after Clyde to land him. If Portland trades him then they'd have to not only find a top-20 player, but also another top-10 player.

so the quickest way, however a long of a shot it is, is to try and add a top-20 player to Dame

 

[Tince]

Been consistent with my opinion for quite a while, BLOW IT THE FUCK UP! Love Dame, trade him somewhere where he has a shot at a title nd we get some picks/players back to rebuild.

The original post is asking what the quickest way to win is. You can't possibly think blowing it up is the quickest way to win.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

The original post is asking what the quickest way to win is. You can't possibly think blowing it up is the quickest way to win.

Best and quickest chance of seriously competing. If one doesn't think that building a contender around Dame is legitimately possible, then yes, one absolutely can think that blowing it up is the best and quickest way to get there.

 

[Tince]

Best and quickest chance of seriously competing. If one doesn't think that building a contender around Dame is legitimately possible, then yes, one absolutely can think that blowing it up is the best and quickest way to get there.

Why are we assuming the contending roster has to be built around Dame? Why can't he just be part of it?

 

[Phatguysrule]

Let me start by saying this is a lot of conjecture. A lot of hypotheses. Frankly, a lot of make believe.

Going forward, what do you think would give us the best, and quickest, chance of winning, or at least seriously competing?

Is it Dame and another all-star type like Siakam? That would likely minus Ant and Sharpe, +

What type of player and what would it take could we get?

Or would adding young pieces like Jalen Brown or Mikel Bridges plus multiple picks to go along with Ant, Sharpe, Reddish, etc with a deeper bench be better?

How many good young players and picks could Dame fetch?

What type of coach is best for either roster?

We need a near All-Star or better power forward. Pascal Siakam would be perfect. If we can get him without giving up Dame or Grant we should do it.

Would have loved to keep Hart. I'd try to re-sign him or aquire him (or somebody similar) if the opportunity presents itself.

Then Siakam could help Nurk at Center when needed and we could swing Grant to the 4 as well.

Then we need a much better Coach.

 

[Phatguysrule]

Why are we assuming the contending roster has to be built around Dame? Why can't he just be part of it?

If we can pair Dame with a better player that would be great.

 

[Ed O]

I think we trade Dame and let Grant walk. We plug in the young, talented, rookie-scale guys we'll have after the Dame trade. We let the team grow together.

After Dame and Grant are gone, Ant can still be an important piece on a very good team. Sharpe can be. That's about it, unless Little somehow becomes more than a three point shooter.

We wouldn't be as terrible as Houston and San Antonio, but we'd have a leg up on a rebuild while probably only being a few games worse than we currently are.

I think that's the fasted reasonable path to championship contention. The coach isn't really a consideration until the roster is better; it's unlikely anyone coaching during a rebuild would be around for the competitive times.

 

[Ed O]

Why are we assuming the contending roster has to be built around Dame? Why can't he just be part of it?

Because it's just not at all likely. He's ball-dominant, he making half of earth's GDP in salary (when his extension kicks in), and he's gooooooood. What kind of roster is going to exist given where we are where Dame is just a piece, rather than the key? What kind of offense would we run to take the ball out of Dame's hands?

Dame could be acquired by a team with a current superstar or two, but I don't see how Portland is going to acquire a current superstar or two to team with Lillard.

 

[tlongII]

We need to get lucky and win the #1 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

 

[Hoopguru]

We finally have some chips to play with this off season so for me let's see how Joe, plays the game. I think he will go all in, so don't get too excited about keeping our next pic, and NY's, and maybe Simon and or Sharpe.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

I think we trade Dame and let Grant walk. We plug in the young, talented, rookie-scale guys we'll have after the Dame trade. We let the team grow together.

After Dame and Grant are gone, Ant can still be an important piece on a very good team. Sharpe can be. That's about it, unless Little somehow becomes more than a three point shooter.

We wouldn't be as terrible as Houston and San Antonio, but we'd have a leg up on a rebuild while probably only being a few games worse than we currently are.

I think that's the fasted reasonable path to championship contention. The coach isn't really a consideration until the roster is better; it's unlikely anyone coaching during a rebuild would be around for the competitive times.

This is what you think will really happen or what you want to happen? Two very different things imo.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

Dont know if it has ever been known to happen, but how about trading off our popular talent, and target guys that are out of favor, troubled or stuck behind super stars.

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Dont know if it has ever been known to happen, but how about trading off our popular talent, and target guys that are out of favor, troubled or stuck behind super stars.

Like our trade with NY?

 

[wizenheimer]

same people saying the same shit, over and over and over and over....and yeah, I'm part of it

 

[Chris Craig]

The best and quickest way may not be the same way. The Blazers have a couple avenues they can go down. Cronin is almost certainly going to try and "go all in" this summer to put another star player around Dame. He is going to attempt to pull off a blockbuster deal. Part of that might mean giving the New York pick to Chicago to open up future picks to deal with. The can of deals that bring big stars to your team are rare and difficult to pull off. Chances are he will get outbid by another team with better assets (i.e Oklahoma or Utah). Another question is who will be available? It's not like there is going to be a lot of star players being traded this summer. There is not going to be a lot of opportunity.

Toronto is the go to with Siakam and OG, but they are overvalued and the asking price will be steep. The Sixers could burn out in the playoffs again and Embiid, who seems to want to play with Lillard could possibly be had (Does he fit in Chauncey's system though). The Twolves might abandon the twin towers and trade KAT if all doesn't go well.

The Blazers would have to send a hefty package to get any of these guys. It would leave a shell of a roster, with Dame, the acquired star, and maybe Grant along with some lesser players left. The three of Dame, newly acquired star, and Grant would take the whole salary. The Blazers would have to hope free agents would suddenly want to come here for cheap. That's a big risk to take. That's leveraging the future for a shot in the dark at contending. Maybe Dame deserves that, a chance sooner than later. But, maybe it's not best.

I don't take stock in the trading Dame for young players and picks and rebuilding at this point. Dame still wants to be here and until he asks to leave you don't trade him. Dame is the best chance this team will have to win anything in many many years.

The best, but maybe not quickest way would be to keep drafting players and hope to hit the jackpot and keep building around the Dame. Then, if he asks to be traded eventually the Blazers still have something left when he is gone.

There are issues with this. You hear Dame's prime being thrown out there, but the real matter is Dame takes up a lot of salary room. The Blazers continuously run into having to let players go once they become good and are ready for their payday because the Blazers can no longer afford to keep them. They overpay other lesser players to keep them and don't have salary space. They are getting ready to overpay Grant. Cronin is supposed to be a numbers guy, so hopefully he can figure all that out.

The Blazers have to play by desolate small market rules. Drafting is a small markets best asset. That's how GS got Curry, Thompson, Green and a hoard of Championships. It takes a good trade or too though as well. Look at Milwaukee. Though it helps when your star is a seven foot freak.

 

[Natebishop3]

I think we trade Dame and let Grant walk. We plug in the young, talented, rookie-scale guys we'll have after the Dame trade. We let the team grow together.

After Dame and Grant are gone, Ant can still be an important piece on a very good team. Sharpe can be. That's about it, unless Little somehow becomes more than a three point shooter.

We wouldn't be as terrible as Houston and San Antonio, but we'd have a leg up on a rebuild while probably only being a few games worse than we currently are.

I think that's the fasted reasonable path to championship contention. The coach isn't really a consideration until the roster is better; it's unlikely anyone coaching during a rebuild would be around for the competitive times.

I have been wondering if we had a gentlemen's agreement that we'd get Dame his super max and then try to find him a home after proving that he's still elite.

 

[Fairly-Hard]

I use this for building a team as well.

 

[Hoopguru]

Joe was director of player personnel for 8 years and lead scout before that, also cap dude.
Seems he has the background to orchestrate a block buster, but does he have the nards? I think he’ been working on nards exercises on his free time.
Remember he is methodical but he knows Dames expectations and I believe JA’s

 

[Phatguysrule]

Because it's just not at all likely. He's ball-dominant, he making half of earth's GDP in salary (when his extension kicks in), and he's gooooooood. What kind of roster is going to exist given where we are where Dame is just a piece, rather than the key? What kind of offense would we run to take the ball out of Dame's hands?

Dame could be acquired by a team with a current superstar or two, but I don't see how Portland is going to acquire a current superstar or two to team with Lillard.

Don't need a superstar or two. Just a top 20 player along with Grant and good pieces around them.

 

[Pinwheel1]

"How many good young players and picks could Dame fetch?"

That is a good question. I am not sure we will get fair value back by trading Dame. It is worth exploring but I am not counting on it. He makes a shit load of money and what we need back is a young star. And that young star will need to put up with losing for a few years and not want to move on after his contract expires. Having said that I think we keep Dame. I am not convinced that anyone who wants to trade for Dame, (Someone who thinks he will make them a contender) will have any top draft picks now...... or in the near future. So they would more than likely need to gut their team to make it worth it to us.

We have young players now and we have two 1st round picks. We can go young if we chose and keep Dame.
Personally, I like a lot of our pieces......
Guards: Dame, Ant, SS, and Thybulle is solid
SF: Cam and Nas are decent, but we either need an upgrade here or at PF.
PF: Grant, Watford are decent but we either need an upgrade here or at SF
C: Nurk can't stay healthy. We need an upgrade but I am not sure we need a star. (Nor will a star center be available)

So how do we get that upgrade at forward?
We could draft one and continue to go young, (Jarace Walker? ) or we could trade three firsts for one.
(2 from this draft and a future) plus Ant and Nurk to match salaries.

For me, it will depend on who is available and where we land in the lottery. I think we have to wait until May to find out.

 

[SIeepwalker]

The thing that makes the most sense if you don't consider like, feelings and shit, is probably trading Dame.

But man it's tough to trade Dame.

 

[Hoopguru]

For those that advocate trading Dame, give me names of players and or picks you think you COULD acquire that would put us in contention. Stating we need to trade Dame doesn't answer the, For What/What specific. Lay out a trade as if you were trying to convince Jody & Bert to pull the trigger.
Otherwise your suggestion is like saying that car has a feature but you don't clarify the "so what" is the benefit.

 

[HansenYang]

Personally, I like a lot of our pieces......
Guards: Dame, Ant, SS, and Thybulle is solid
SF: Cam and Nas are decent, but we either need an upgrade here or at PF.
PF: Grant, Watford are decent but we either need an upgrade here or at SF
C: Nurk can't stay healthy. We need an upgrade but I am not sure we need a star. (Nor will a star center be available)

Guards: I agree, it's solid - but Portland DESPERATELY needs a legitimate backup PG. Last one we've had is Evan Turner... Steve Blake before that (almost 10-years ago!)...
Forwards: Biggest thing needed at this position right now is REBOUNDING and muscle. Out of Cam, Nas, Grant, & Watford -> Watford is the one that will bang and play 'big'. Nas can on occasion. But Cam & Grant are finesse players.
Center: Nurk is good when he plays a limited role and ~20-minutes/game. His game deteriorates quickly when he tries to do too much & fatigued. Ideally, he'd tag-team the C position.