Retool or rebuild

[1 Eye Jack]

Assume we don’t get Wemby. Do you prefer to retool meaning trade pick and other youth or rebuild without Dame?

Top 5 pick to go with Ant, Sharpe plus potential draft picks and good young prospect (from Dame trade) would be great start to rebuild with everyone being on same time table.

 

[HoopsFanAZ]

They ARE rebuilding around Dame, Sharpe, and Grant. That’s the obvious conclusion. Plan A. Ant being the guy they’d rather not trade all things considered but Sharpe > Simons as a priority.
Watford, Thybulle, Eubanks, Walker are not “essential,” but they’re likely around next season and good to keep. 7 guys.

Besides Wemby, who else gets paired with Grant?
Ant + lottery pick + more for a close to all star type forward?
Ant + more for OG? Shaedon’s play and promise makes this possible.
IMHO, this is the range for making the playoffs (with or without keeping a high-ish lottery pick).

The ONLY way I can see Ant returning is if Wemby is a Blazer. The two-track win now, build the future MIGHT remain an actual option. I would still favor an Ant trade for a SF.

 

[HansenYang]

Retool.
Keep the pick (Ausar, Miller, Walker, or Hendricks) and trade Ant.
I really like Leonard Miller for #23 - but if he's not available, let Chicago take it to clear future pick encumbrances.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

The only way we should keep Dame is if we get Wembanyama. That's literally the only way we can pair Dame with another star who can help in his slim remaining window. (I think VW will be instantly elite at defense, even if not offense.)

 

[AngryFan]

My choice isn't on the list. Trade Simons and Nurk. No to trading any picks now or in the future. Dame can stay or go, his choice.

If I was Jody I'd tell him that if he wants out to tell me behind the scenes and I'd be the villain that trades him. He shouldn't have to publicly ask out and be seen as changing his mind about loyalty and not running from the grind.

 

[wizenheimer]

the options are way too limited in that poll

 

[SlyPokerDog]

 

[Whyachi]

Blazers are getting a top draft pick, while beating the living hell out of the really cruddy teams.

It's a nifty little gadget, I say run it.
Why fix it if it ain't broke?

 

[Mediocre Man]

Fools!

 

[Natebishop3]

I’m not sure what the difference is between retool around Dame and rebuild around Dame. Where is the option to rebuild around Sharpe?

 

[Whyachi]

No option to rebuild around Sharpe?

because Shaedon might be trade bait so the Blazers can continue Anfernee's illustrious career in Portland.

 

[blazerfan11]

The only thing I demand from the Trail Blazers is starting Shaedon Sharpe next season and playing him 35 minutes a game.

Even if the talent level of the other players is about the same, there will be a world of difference in entertainment value. Hopefully Cronin will make the right decisions and/or get lucky and there will be a world of difference in the standings too.

Beyond that, there are too many unknowns.

 

[C_note]

Blazers are getting a top draft pick, while beating the living hell out of the really cruddy teams.

It's a nifty little gadget, I say run it.
Why fix it if it ain't broke?

Is this a joke that just went totally over my head?

Lol, what is your definition of "broke"?

We have a top 10 player, multiple supporting cast in place, AND WE STILL MISSED THE PLAYOFFS ENTIRELY.
It's broken to the point of not being fixable UNLESS we somehow land the generational #1 prospect in the draft.

 

[blazerkor]

The only thing I demand from the Trail Blazers is starting Shaedon Sharpe next season and playing him 35 minutes a game.

Even if the talent level of the other players is about the same, there will be a world of difference in entertainment value. Hopefully Cronin will make the right decisions and/or get lucky and there will be a world of difference in the standings too.

Beyond that, there are too many unknowns.

I can't like a post twice so I just wanted to say this is the reasonable take right now. I want Shaedon starting and I personally only want his starting at SG. Other than that we just have too many variables to even know what we want besides that we want a team that is more compelling, a team that can build to something at the end of the season.

 

[Whyachi]

I’m not sure what the difference is between retool around Dame and rebuild around Dame. Where is the option to rebuild around Sharpe?

Is this a joke that just went totally over my head?

Lol, what is your definition of "broke"?

We have a top 10 player, multiple supporting cast in place, AND WE STILL MISSED THE PLAYOFFS ENTIRELY.
It's broken to the point of not being fixable UNLESS we somehow land the generational #1 prospect in the draft.

Cronin is getting hung up on during trade talks.
" What will you give us for Nurk?... {click}"

The Blazers could have no alternative but lose for more super rookies. Might as well hire friends and family of Lillard and Coach Billups. Make it a family fun family happy fun friendly team that loses for a generational rookie.

 

[bemac]

Lillard, Sharpe, Grant, Watford and Nurk with Simons as 6th man leading the second unit and Mays(yes, Mays is that guy), Thybulle, Winslow and Eubanks would be competitive next year and with a little luck in the draft could be a contender in two years with a bright future.

Oh, this solely relies on Lillard changing his style of play to get the ball moving and others more involved.

Sharpe is going to be that good.

 

[blazerkor]

Lillard, Sharpe, Grant, Watford and Nurk with Simons as 6th man leading the second unit and Mays(yes, Mays is that guy), Thybulle, Winslow and Eubanks would be competitive next year and with a little luck in the draft could be a contender in two years with a bright future.

Oh, this solely relies on Lillard changing his style of play to get the ball moving and others more involved.

Sharpe is going to be that good.

I don't agree. I don't think we will or should re-sign Justise given his injury history and the fact that he could only play 29 games for us this season... including him in your rotation says a lot. You didn't address the fact that we will likely have a top 7 pick. I also think Joe was very clear that he plans to make a big move this off season to get Dame some more help. All of that being said, that team you put together has nowhere close to enough size to off of the bench to compete.

Just a really weird post.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

I don't agree. I don't think we will or should re-sign Justise given his injury history and the fact that he could only play 29 games for us this season... including him in your rotation says a lot. You didn't address the fact that we will likely have a top 7 pick. I also think Joe was very clear that he plans to make a big move this off season to get Dame some more help. All of that being said, that team you put together has nowhere close to enough size to off of the bench to compete.

Just a really weird post.

and so to compound it with another wierd post? Lol.
He did address this years draft. He said we could be competitive next year AND WITH A LITTLE LUCK IN THE DRAFT, we could be a contender in a couple years.

Just because you disagree, doesn't make his post weird…
If we get lucky in this draft and get number one, i think he is spot on saying we could be a contender in a couple years. A growing Sharpe and Wemby could do that.
Not a weird post at all. Just a weird reply…

 

[C_note]

Eubanks and Watford should not be playing meaningful minutes.

 

[Phatguysrule]

Keep Dame. Trade your duplicative youth for proven talent that fits better.

 

[tykendo]

Fools!

Fools like Danny Mainge , who helped a broken down Laker team be a potential contender. If the Lakers stay healthy, and win it all, Ainge should be given a Lakers championship ring. You NEVER help the Lakers.

 

[tykendo]

Eubanks and Watford should not be playing meaningful minutes.

Not true. They're very good backups. Even if the Blazers win the rights to draft Wemby, and make a trade for Mikal Bridges, they still need a quality bench that can spell the starters. Watford and Eubanks are those kinda players now.

 

[blazerkor]

Fools like Danny Mainge , who helped a broken down Laker team be a potential contender. If the Lakers stay healthy, and win it all, Ainge should be given a Lakers championship ring. You NEVER help the Lakers.

Someone always seems to help the Lakers... not to be completely argumentative but if it's the Pelicans or the Grizz back in the day or the Hornets even earlier than that... someone always seems to help them.

I want us to build around Dame but we could definitely be looked at the same way history looks at the Hornets for trading Kobe for Vlade if we're not careful.

 

[bemac]

I find it interesting that the Blazers have built multiple teams around Dame that have not worked, yet y'all continue to insist it's the other players. Hmmm.

 

[blazerkor]

I find it interesting that the Blazers have built multiple teams around Dame that have not worked, yet y'all continue to insist it's the other players. Hmmm.

We insist that he's never had the opportunity to play with a fellow all star, since his third season in the league. We basically insist that even though there has been a ton of tinkering with the roster around him, since his third year he hasn't had a complementary or particularly talented roster around him.

 

[julius]

I find it interesting that the Blazers have built multiple teams around Dame that have not worked, yet y'all continue to insist it's the other players. Hmmm.

well, the players they "built" around Damian have been, for the most part, scrubs.

 

[Phatguysrule]

I find it interesting that the Blazers have built multiple teams around Dame that have not worked, yet y'all continue to insist it's the other players. Hmmm.

I'd be willing to bet that no star has ever competed for a championship when surounded by a similar level of talent Dame's had on the team since Aldridge left.

 

[Graduate32]

I find it interesting that the Blazers have built multiple teams around Dame that have not worked, yet y'all continue to insist it's the other players. Hmmm.

While I think the Blazers management's attempts have been very lackluster over the years and are primarily to blame, I do think it is at least fair to ask the question of Dame's role in the team's shortcomings. The potential issues:

1. He has long been a negative on the defensive side of the ball, and like virtually all Blazers' guards for the last decade, really struggles to get over screens and stay in front of quicker players.
2. He's a ball-dominant guard that prefers playing at a slower pace. Unlike Curry, to whom he is rightfully compared, he doesn't move off-of-the-ball with the same intentionality (some of this may be system as well, of course).
3. His primary weapon is his otherworldly shooting. It has an effect on a defense regardless of whether he is making or missing, but shooting by its nature is more sporadic.
4. His gravity is undeniable, but it hasn't consistently generated easy opportunities for his teammates. He's a good and willing passer with good court vision, but his playmaking for others will always be a secondary skill as he is not simply able to break down his man and draw a second defender off of the dribble. And his shot profile isn't one that easily creates offensive rebounds and second opportunities.
5. Through two coaches now, our offense is really stagnant and often devolves into an isolation possession from one of our guards or a two-man pick-and-roll with three other players standing and watching. I sometimes wonder about the effect this has on the other players, and perhaps even on their defensive performances as well.

Damian Lillard is my all-time favorite basketball player, a pure joy to watch and root for, and a player whose greatness cannot be denied. I also think that the messy teams that have surrounded Dame throughout his career and his coaches' ability to get the team to perform at a better level defensely are by far the primary reasons we are where we are. That said, I think it is reasonable to also admit that his superstar profile isn't the easiest around which to build a team, especially in the current era of NBA basketball.

 

[BankTeller]

Is everyone convinced Ant will never become the same catch-and-shoot guy he once was again?

We still don’t actually know what the lineup looks like with Simons coming off the bench. I think it’s worth at least trying before saying ‘trade him, he doesn’t work with Dame’.

If he really studied under Dame, I think he would know that the best thing to do in that situation is at least is try it out. Jordan Poole is making more money than him and he’s only started half the season.

Draft the best available talent with the lotto pick. Use or trade the NYK pick for a difference maker or draft someone with potential to fill a spot of the future (Dereck Lively is someone I’d love if Schmitz thinks he’s the right fit). Re-sign Grant. Sign/trade a real C and SF. Let the young guys keep growing.

Run it back.

 

[Ed O]

I find it interesting that the Blazers have built multiple teams around Dame that have not worked, yet y'all continue to insist it's the other players. Hmmm.

I love Dame. He's awesome. I don't think it's his fault that the guys we've added around him haven't been very good.

We had management making bad decisions about who to acquire, who to draft, and where to spend money. That's not on Dame (except maybe Grant, if he requested Grant).

The thing is that there's no guarantee we're doing to be able to add superior players to the guys we have in the past. We could go back in time and had Olshey trade for good players instead of, say, Nance, and it might have worked. Who? Dunno. But Cronin doesn't have a track record of making good trades... he cut his teeth working with Olshey and I don't have confidence that he'll be better at it.

The other thing is that the team is not close. If we got another Grant-level player for free AND added our lottery pick, I think we'd be pretty good. I'd be happy with that. But getting another Grant-level player (who I am not even a big fan of) will cost us something... a rotation player, or draft picks that will hurt us in the future. In addition to a dearth of talent, we're small. I like Nurk more than most, but only having two guys taller than 6'9" available for our rotation is just ridiculous.

The final thing (at least for this post) is that Dame is aging. He is going to be making a SHIT-TON of money, which limits our team spending both in salary cap ways and real-life ways. Was he fantastic this year? Absolutely. But humans just start to break down more as we age (news flash) and Dame is going to be 33 in three months. He's going to get injured more and more even as he gets more expensive, and it's going to be doubly damaging to our teams' prospects.

Bottom line? Past failures are not Dame's fault, but we cannot win big with him moving forward.