Hold firm, Joe!

[Natebishop3]

I am forced to believe their media is just not that bright. Unable to think critically.

Well.... it IS Florida.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

You want a 27 year old role player over Jovic? With the path were going down?

Ok.

I'm not sure what path we are going down. it doesn't seem clear yet to me. He is better than either of those two and if team becomes clear on what they are doing, he would have more trade value.

 

[mook]

I'd like to see us sit on Dame for a long, long time. Maybe as long as the trade deadline. Let him sit out if he can't be a positive locker room guy, or if he just doesn't align with our guard-dominated rotation.

Hell, it probably makes him more valuable if we don't play him. He's a dude who can miss half a season and everyone know it'll only make him more pissed off and eager to rip everyone's hearts out in the playoffs. Plus, who wouldn't love to sign an absolutely 100% Dame in January? And you think he'll bitch about it not being Miami after he misses a couple months of playing? Hah! It'll kill him to be lumped into the same shitheap as Ben Simmons. He will be ready to rampage with whoever gets him.

There are a LOT of really good teams out there, and with teams like OKC and Houston on the come up, there's bound to be 2-4 "contending" teams who start to panic when they look around and realize they're only 4 games over .500.

Dame is the biggest "Break Glass in Case of Emergency" player you can imagine. The problem is that there aren't any fires right now. Franchises are selling "opportunity" and "potential." That sells tickets this time of year (as much as anything can, anyway). There will be towering infernos as the season progresses, and, ironically, it'll be the Blazers with the everyone's best chance of putting them out.

 

[inconceivable]

I'd like to see us sit on Dame for a long, long time. Maybe as long as the trade deadline. Let him sit out if he can't be a positive locker room guy, or if he just doesn't align with our guard-dominated rotation.

Hell, it probably makes him more valuable if we don't play him. He's a dude who can miss half a season and everyone know it'll only make him more pissed off and eager to rip everyone's hearts out in the playoffs. Plus, who wouldn't love to sign an absolutely 100% Dame in January? And you think he'll bitch about it not being Miami after he misses a couple months of playing? Hah! It'll kill him to be lumped into the same shitheap as Ben Simmons. He will be ready to rampage with whoever gets him.

There are a LOT of really good teams out there, and with teams like OKC and Houston on the come up, there's bound to be 2-4 "contending" teams who start to panic when they look around and realize they're only 4 games over .500.

Dame is the biggest "Break Glass in Case of Emergency" player you can imagine. The problem is that there aren't any fires right now. Franchises are selling "opportunity" and "potential." That sells tickets this time of year (as much as anything can, anyway). There will be towering infernos as the season progresses, and, ironically, it'll be the Blazers with the everyone's best chance of putting them out.

I agree. By all star break, teams have a better understanding of their contender status. Win-now teams at start of season would know if they are a Dame upgrade or Dame acquisition away from going all the way. We (blazers) can juice the most return for him that time. Dame, like KD in the same exact situation last year, is a pro, he will not be a distraction.

 

[wizenheimer]

I agree. By all star break, teams have a better understanding of their contender status. Win-now teams at start of season would know if they are a Dame upgrade or Dame acquisition away from going all the way. We (blazers) can juice the most return for him that time. Dame, like KD in the same exact situation last year, is a pro, he will not be a distraction.

last 2 or 3 seasons the trade deadline has come before the all-star game. trade deadline was Feb. 9; all-star game Feb. 19

 

[inconceivable]

last 2 or 3 seasons the trade deadline has come before the all-star game. trade deadline was Feb. 9; all-star game Feb. 19

I meant by Feb deadline, which is around the all star break.

 

[wizenheimer]

I meant by Feb deadline, which is around the all star break.

it used to be the deadline was after the all-star break. So GM's and assistant GM's and owners could get together face-to-face and talk about trades. ut for some reason the NBA flopped to dates and moved the trade deadline to earlier in the season

 

[maxiep]

it used to be the deadline was after the all-star break. So GM's and assistant GM's and owners could get together face-to-face and talk about trades. ut for some reason the NBA flopped to dates and moved the trade deadline to earlier in the season

I've always thought it was an error. I loved all the drama around All-Star Break. I can see how they would want the focus on the weekend, rather than the back office stuff. It keeps the season more exciting.

 

[Idog1976]

View attachment 56935

The end of that article is silly. What pain? Oh no Lillard isn't playing and we didn't get another player, I guess we will have to change course...to uh...the SAME EXACT COURSE and continue to rebuild with a 5-10 year horizon for being contenders. Like what? This doesn't negatively impact us in the slightest. We already were on the short list of least desirable locations for free agents (weather, state income tax, lack of nightlife etc.) so that doesn't change. How does it hurt us? I mean MAYBE if it was a distraction for the team, but I don't think Scoot or Sharpe will care or be affected and the rest of the team doesn't really matter. Unless Dame goes absolutely radioactive and tries to poison the team through Grant, or himself in the ears of players, but that would do irreparable damage to Dame's brand. I just don't see it. We have at least a year to get this done, but does Dame?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

 

[STOMP]

This doesn't negatively impact us in the slightest. We already were on the short list of least desirable locations for free agents (weather, state income tax, lack of nightlife etc.) so that doesn't change.

Guys with options want to get paid and win. Portland will be on the short list of most desirable locations for Free Agents IF during the next couple seasons Scoot and Shaedon ball out showing great promise & Joe clears cap space to be able to pay.

STOMP

 

[blazerfan11]

How badly does Dame himself want to be traded?

He must have known Miami doesn't have much to offer, and he certainly knows his own contract status.

If there was any offense that Cronin committed against Dame, I would expect Dame would try to make it easier to be traded away from Portland, rather than more difficult.

 

[ebott]

How badly does Dame himself want to be traded?

He must have known Miami doesn't have much to offer, and he certainly knows his own contract status.

If there was any offense that Cronin committed against Dame, I would expect Dame would try to make it easier to be traded away from Portland, rather than more difficult.

Also, how much does Miami actually want him? Supposedly, they've been on the top of his list for months. It wasn't any sort of secret. Only the willfully ignorant tried to deny it. But the day before Dame made his official trade demand they traded Victor Oladipo and two future second-round Draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Not that the Blazers would want Victor or those second round picks are that valuable, but it just doesn't strike me as a move that a team trying to trade for a superstar would make.

 

[Samuel]

I am forced to believe their media is just not that bright. Unable to think critically.

Oddly enough, they have this notion that everyone is out to get Miami, that everyone—including national media—hates Miami and biases toward Boston, LA, etc.

it’s a dynamic that causes them to overrate their own players and understand little about what another team might want. It took their media a WHILE to realize that Simons was functionally duplicative with Tyler Herro—to the point that now they’re hurt that the Dame chatter has potentially wounded the relationship between Tyler and the org.

‘fine we won’t include Tyler’ (yeah, that’s not how this works)

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Also, how much does Miami actually want him? Supposedly, they've been on the top of his list for months. It wasn't any sort of secret. Only the willfully ignorant tried to deny it. But the day before Dame made his official trade demand they traded Victor Oladipo and two future second-round Draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Not that the Blazers would want Victor or those second round picks are that valuable, but it just doesn't strike me as a move that a team trying to trade for a superstar would make.

Good point, we could have taken those picks and Miami has trouble putting enough contracts into a trade to match Dames salary. They could've just put Oladipo into a Dame trade if it was likely.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Ideally, we get back a player of need. And that need is a front-court player who can defend and rebound. Miami does not offer that, but not many teams really do. And those players who do excel at it tend to be below-average shooters. So I am okay with Joe holding firm.

You would think that Toronto could use Herro while giving up Precious and filler (Boucher and Young) Since they are giving up 3 PFs send them Jovic in the deal.

Portland: Precious, Boucher, and JJjr. (and Lowry)
Miami: Dame and Young
Toronto: Herro and Jovic

That might not seem fair to us, but it does fill some needs especially if we get a couple of picks.

 

[inconceivable]

Ideally, we get back a player of need. And that need is a front-court player who can defend and rebound. Miami does not offer that, but not many teams really do. And those players who do excel at it tend to be below-average shooters. So I am okay with Joe holding firm.

You would think that Toronto could use Herro while giving up Precious and filler (Boucher and Young) Since they are giving up 3 PFs send them Jovic in the deal.

Portland: Precious, Boucher, and JJjr. (and Lowry)
Miami: Dame and Young
Toronto: Herro and Jovic

That might not seem fair to us, but it does fill some needs especially if we get a couple of picks.

I do not see any headliner in this trade going to us.

Like Lauri in Mitchell trade, Mikal in Dutant trade.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I do not see any headliner in this trade going to us.

Like Lauri in Mitchell trade, Mikal in Dutant trade.

Who is a realistic headliner that you think we can get? I would like to get one for sure. But the reason I never wanted to trade Dame in the first place was that I doubted we would get a front-line player in return.

Personally, I would like it to be Simmons, but I don't see it happening which is why I am suggesting we at least get two young front-line players that fill a huge need.

Precious has the size and high motor we need at PF. Jaime likewise brings size and energy (and a high BBQ) to the SF position.
Boucher is more like Grant in terms of age and size, but he is a solid bench player. No none of them are Dame, but is Toronto going to trade us Scottie Barnes? Not happening

 

[blazerfan11]

Also, how much does Miami actually want him? Supposedly, they've been on the top of his list for months. It wasn't any sort of secret. Only the willfully ignorant tried to deny it. But the day before Dame made his official trade demand they traded Victor Oladipo and two future second-round Draft picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Not that the Blazers would want Victor or those second round picks are that valuable, but it just doesn't strike me as a move that a team trying to trade for a superstar would make.

That is another good question. (How badly does Miami really want him?)

If Dame sticks with his Miami-or-bust stance, to me that means his top choices of where to play next season are 1) Miami 2) Portland 3) nowhere else.

There is nothing unreasonable about that.

 

[Pinwheel1]

That is another good question. (How badly does Miami really want him?)

If Dame sticks with his Miami-or-bust stance, to me that means his top choices of where to play next season are 1) Miami 2) Portland 3) nowhere else.

There is nothing unreasonable about that.

My question is how badly does Dame want to leave? In other words, when we approach training camp does he
want to come back and deal with the media, or will he expand the number of teams he would be enthusiastic about going to?
I think he would expand that list

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Who is a realistic headliner that you think we can get? I would like to get one for sure. But the reason I never wanted to trade Dame in the first place was that I doubted we would get a front-line player in return.

Personally, I would like it to be Simmons, but I don't see it happening which is why I am suggesting we at least get two young front-line players that fill a huge need.

Precious has the size and high motor we need at PF. Jaime likewise brings size and energy (and a high BBQ) to the SF position.
Boucher is more like Grant in terms of age and size, but he is a solid bench player. No none of them are Dame, but is Toronto going to trade us Scottie Barnes? Not happening

I'd want Gradey Dick (though I doubt his NBA future) and a pick from Toronto as well. That would be a pretty good return on a Dame deal. I'd be very interested in how that roster might shake out over this season.

Scoot/Ant/Lowry
Sharpe/Little/Dick
Thybulle/Jaquez/Rupert
Grant/Murray/Walker
Nurk/Achiuwa/Boucher

I feel like there are enough lottery tickets on that squad that a few would have to pan out.

 

[blazerfan11]

My question is how badly does Dame want to leave? In other words, when we approach training camp does he
want to come back and deal with the media, or will he expand the number of teams he would be enthusiastic about going to?
I think he would expand that list

I think he will not expand his list, and he will play for the Trail Blazers.

It's one thing to say you want to trade playing/living in Portland for playing/living in Miami. Maybe Dame was dreaming and though he'd give asking for a trade to Miami a shot. Why not?

Salt Lake City and Toronto are a far, far cry from being Miami.

 

[Pinwheel1]

I think he will not expand his list, and he will play for the Trail Blazers.

It's one thing to say you want to trade playing/living in Portland for playing/living in Miami.

Salt Lake City and Toronto are a far, far cry from being Miami.

I think he would enjoy Toronto hanging out with Drake. It has a great music scene
Brooklyn is still an option

 

[blazerfan11]

I think he would enjoy Toronto hanging out with Drake. It has a great music scene
Brooklyn is still an option

Why didn't he include those as possible trade partners?

He obviously doesn't like those teams and locations as much as Miami.

I think everyone is forgetting or ignoring that Joe Cronin would like Dame to stay in Portland. Any team will have to offer a reasonable return.

Cronin is not going to trade Dame just to trade Dame.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Why didn't he include those as possible trade partners?
He doesn't like those teams and locations as much as Miami.

True, he likes Miami best. But the point is would he prefer the other two over coming back to play in Portland?
I have no idea, but I think there is a pretty good chance he will expand the list in a few weeks if Joe does not like what Miami is offering.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Any team will have to offer a reasonable return.

And for Miami to be able to provide a reasonable return, they'll have to receive a reasonable return for Herro.

And any team trading for Herro knows they're just helping Miami get Dame, so they won't offer anything decent.

 

[Pinwheel1]

And for Miami to be able to provide a reasonable return, they'll have to receive a reasonable return for Herro.

And any team trading for Herro knows they're just helping Miami get Dame, so they won't offer anything decent.

True, unless that team desperately needs outside shooting.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

True, unless that team desperately needs outside shooting.

So said team would probably need to believe that adding Herro makes them better than Miami-Herro+Dame, and would need to be willing to part with assets that we would want. I'm guessing that venn diagram has a very small overlap.

 

[inconceivable]

There will be scenarios currently unknown that will playout during the season. Teams overperforming, Teams underperforming, other players asking out, other players getting injured, demand for Dame will increase. Good things come to thosr who wait. This will be the Broncos/Wilson of the NBA

 

[Pinwheel1]

So said team would probably need to believe that adding Herro makes them better than Miami-Herro+Dame, and would need to be willing to part with assets that we would want. I'm guessing that venn diagram has a very small overlap.

I agree which brings us back to my proposed trade earlier. It was certainly not a proposal where we were the clear winners but one that I thought all three teams benefitted from. Now I know some will say by losing Dame there is no way we benefit, and that is a fair argument, but he made his choice and we have to make the best of it.

We should not trade Scoot or Sharpe, but the one thing that could still make Dame feel like he has a puncher's chance in Portland is if we were able to obtain that much-needed forward in a trade for Ant and filler, which I think Joe was trying to do all along without any success.