We got the #3 pick. Discuss the possibilities.

[glazeduck]

Have to admit I love the hot takes on all sides for such a nuanced issue. I know we can't all just say "it depends", but really, the right move is: "it depends".

I think, barring some godfather offer or him asking for it, trading Dame is off the table and simply just not realistic.

If you're trading 3 to go all-in, I think you're looking to upgrade Ant, Nurk and the bench.

If trading 3 (very likely a series of moves) doesn't/can't accomplish most/all of those, then you keep the pick and deal with Dame and his feelings about it as needed -- you can't afford to shoot your shot and fall short.

 

[Labinot41]

found it:

“As the process went on, (we) became more and more enamored with pick seven where in my trade discussions, most of them became ‘You’ve got to wow us to have us even think about moving this pick. And it ended up that nobody wowed us.”

 

[BIG Q]

He started this lobbying with team USA and got Jerami Grant to make us his preferred trade destination...that was last summer....this is his second summer since team USA and instead of going to Cabo he's going to playoff games and lobbying....he's never done that at this level before....he's part of the front office since Chauncey came on board and Joe was hired. Olshey era wasn't conducive to that by any stretch. Dame got the bag and he's more of a team guy than a me guy.

$250 million reasons can get a man to do/say a lot.

 

[riverman]

$250 million reasons can get a man to do/say a lot.

So can raising kids in Portland after growing up in Oakland...what I really like about it is he's invested his millions in Oregon...and generated a whole economic support system for his family here as well.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Simons + Nurkic for KAT works on the trade checker. Might have to trade #23 pick as well. Then draft Brandon Miller.

 

[SIeepwalker]

Simons + Nurkic for KAT works on the trade checker. Might have to trade #23 pick as well. Then draft Brandon Miller.

Bleurgh

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Simons + Nurkic for KAT works on the trade checker. Might have to trade #23 pick as well. Then draft Brandon Miller.

Dame
Sharpe
Miller
Grant
KAT

I'd much prefer something like this over giving up #3 and Ant for Siakam.

I'm not sure it will work, or that KAT is a winning player. But the team still has Sharpe and Miller if it doesn't work and could flip the others for assets. Gives Dame an All-NBA player to try and win now but keeps young assets and flexibility with the franchise.

Minnesota would have Ant and Ant.

 

[Chris Craig]

No.

Say no to Ayton.

Just say no.

This is your team on Ayton...

 

[BankTeller]

Simons + Nurkic for KAT works on the trade checker. Might have to trade #23 pick as well. Then draft Brandon Miller.

I just listened to a Wolves channel where their guys were talking about Ant + #3 + filler for KAT + Prince. So I think anything short of the #3 gets rejected by the Wolves. I'm not giving up #3 for KAT's contract. The best ability is availability.

 

[BankTeller]

No.

Say no to Ayton.

Anyone here who wants Ayton hasn't had a basketball convo with a Suns fan.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

I just listened to a Wolves channel where their guys were talking about Ant + #3 + filler for KAT + Prince. So I think anything short of the #3 gets rejected by the Wolves. I'm not giving up #3 for KAT's contract. The best ability is availability.

Well sure but Raptors fans want Sharpe and #3 for Siakam. I'd hope there is no way we consider #3 in a KAT trade. Now if its #23 or a future protected pick, then fine.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

No.

Say no to Ayton.

Im not super high on him either. But i wonder if it just takes a change of scenery?
He would be second or third option here. Not fourth like in phoe.
I could see him thriving here with that lineup.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

Just say no.

This is your team on Ayton...

View attachment 55883

suck a rotten egg!!!
Oh. Wait…

 

[Chris Craig]

suck a rotten egg!!!
Oh. Wait…

Hey...don't do eggs...err drugs...err eggs!!!

 

[Chris Craig]

Well sure but Raptors fans want Sharpe and #3 for Siakam. I'd hope there is no way we consider #3 in a KAT trade. Now if its #23 or a future protected pick, then fine.

 

[CJ_is_Gone]

Im not super high on him either. But i wonder if it just takes a change of scenery?
He would be second or third option here. Not fourth like in phoe.
I could see him thriving here with that lineup.

Change of scenery can't fix someone's head/heart.

Look at Simmons... I rest my case.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

Change of scenery can't fix someone's head/heart.

Look at Simmons... I rest my case.

It certainly can if the head and heart are not with the current team. But i will admit, I dont know much about him. But i trust in Dame.

 

[Natebishop3]

Here are my trades if we keep the pick and draft Scoot:





Roster

PG Scoot
SG Sharpe
SF Giddey
PF Chet
C Simmons/Claxton

I know people don't want Simmons, but he only has a couple years left on his deal, while Nurk still has 3 years. If we can get Claxton and a pick to take on Simmons, I think it would be worth it. Maybe Simmons can turn things around. Maybe not.

Maybe my price is too steep for the Thunder, but I'd like to see how much we could get out of them.

If we keep Dame:

Simons/#3 and other future picks for Bridges.

Nas/Nurk/some 2nds for Draymond.

Dame
Sharpe
Bridges
Grant
Green

That's our best chance at winning with Dame.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

Here are my trades if we keep the pick and draft Scoot:

View attachment 55882

View attachment 55884

Roster

PG Scoot
SG Sharpe
SF Giddey
PF Chet
C Simmons/Claxton

I know people don't want Simmons, but he only has a couple years left on his deal, while Nurk still has 3 years. If we can get Claxton and a pick to take on Simmons, I think it would be worth it. Maybe Simmons can turn things around. Maybe not.

Maybe my price is too steep for the Thunder, but I'd like to see how much we could get out of them.

If we keep Dame:

Simons/#3 and other future picks for Bridges.

Nas/Nurk/some 2nds for Draymond.

Dame
Sharpe
Bridges
Grant
Green

That's our best chance at winning with Dame.

What's your Boston trade?

 

[BigGameDamian]

Just say no.

This is your team on Ayton...

View attachment 55883

You like the idea of KAT?

 

[Chris Craig]

You like the idea of KAT?

Depends what we give up.

 

[glazeduck]

Change of scenery can't fix someone's head/heart.

Look at Simmons... I rest my case.

Citing one example -- particularly one where mental health issues might be at least partially to blame -- isn't exactly solid evidence to rest your case on. Our head coach needed a change of scenery to flourish. Others like Joe Johnson, Chris Webber, Sheed, you could probably put Jermaine O'Neal in that category as well.

I'm not advocating FOR Ayton, for the record, but it's silly to think that you've cracked the case on underperforming talent *because Ben Simmons*.

 

[theprunetang]

Unlike Dame, Ball is long and can defend multiple positions. The dude is also only 21 so I think there is a great chance that they could identify either Scoot or Miller as a great guy to play with LaMelo for a long time. Unlike us (if we're keeping Dame) the Hornets have no reason to be in a mindset of winning now at all costs. Like everything else though, we'll just have to wait and see.

Ball cannot even guard one position.

 

[Natebishop3]

What's your Boston trade?

I'm actually leaning away from Boston at this point. I like Brown, but he's due A LOT of money and I'm honestly not sure if he's worth it. Rather go young. I also don't think Boston would give us much outside of Brown. Maybe a pick.

 

[theprunetang]

Hey...don't do eggs...err drugs...err eggs!!!

We are in the dregs of summer. Officially.

 

[SharpeScooterShooter]

We are in the dregs of summer. Officially.

I couldn't come up with anything to counter. Good one.

 

[TBpup]

would you sign a petition to demand the office trade him? If not then you're not included in my rant Tpup.....you're welcome to your view though...just don't take it personally ...speculating is one thing...wanting a player gone is another. Haters are people who don't value Dame in Portland and want him gone. I don't get the impression you're in that camp

You are correct, of course I am not in that camp and didn't think you were referring to me. However, if someone thinks Dame being gone for the betterment of the franchise, if they make good points, I can totally see where they are coming from and not thing they are a hater. I've spoken to many a MONSTER Dame fan, who things that era may have run it's course. There summary is something like this.

I love Dame, but where are we going with him? It's been over a decade and we are no closer to a title now than when he came. In fact, we are probably further away. Do we give away massive assets to try and suddenly create a window that has never been there in the first place, or do we receive massive assets to build around Ant, Sharpe and the #3 pick and move forward? If they are adamant about the later, I've never got the impression they were a "hater". That gets thrown around a lot if someone wants to trade Dame for what they believe are good reasons, or someone points how how poor historically Dame has been defensively. That sounds a lot more like reality than hate.

Someone at the Draft party said Dame was their favorite player, but only the 3rd greatest Blazer because for them, they felt they had to completely ignore defense and post-season success for Dame to be considered the GOAT over someone like Walton who won a title, was an MVP, a Finals MVP, one of the best passing big men in history, and a DPoY type player. They referred to Dame and an "accumulator" like a player in baseball that hangs around for 20 years and gets 3000 hits, but was never really that great or in the case of someone like Harold Baines, was a DH for much of his career so played no defense. '

They were telling me this while wearing a Dame jersey. Tough to argue where they were coming from in terms of team success.

 

[BIG Q]

Im not super high on him either. But i wonder if it just takes a change of scenery?
He would be second or third option here. Not fourth like in phoe.
I could see him thriving here with that lineup.

Huge, huge, huge risk with Ayton. His ego wants to be Embiid. First option. His talent is almost there. His work ethic is awful people say. He is addicted to video games to such an extent that he does not get proper sleep/rest. Says all the right things, does none of them. The local talkers down here say the Suns aren't looking for a star, they want the depth players they lost in the Durant trade and a center. Nurk is half the price and a good passer and a team guy so he could be a fit down here. They don't need a race horse. Not advocating for Ayton though. He wouldn't work with ball dominant Dame.

 

[lamlor]

Nobody is trading Sharpe

But if you are trading #3 for vet help to go for it, it would only make sense you trade Sharpe for the same reason. Why trade one prospect for vet help, which won't be enough, and not trade the other for a full out go for it? That is my greatest fear. Portland will trade all young assets not ready right now to contribute to a championship for guys that have marginal value towards winning one. And after it doesn't work, you will have less than nothing in 3 years.

Get Scoot or Miller to add to Sharpe and build with youth and athletes. Get rid of all that don't fit the team game. They don't have to rebuild, but they do need to retool. Even if the retooling with youth doesn't win it all, it will be a much better game of basketball to watch.

 

[Natebishop3]

You are correct, of course I am not in that camp and didn't think you were referring to me. However, if someone thinks Dame being gone for the betterment of the franchise, if they make good points, I can totally see where they are coming from and not thing they are a hater. I've spoken to many a MONSTER Dame fan, who things that era may have run it's course. There summary is something like this.

I love Dame, but where are we going with him? It's been over a decade and we are no closer to a title now than when he came. In fact, we are probably further away. Do we give away massive assets to try and suddenly create a window that has never been there in the first place, or do we receive massive assets to build around Ant, Sharpe and the #3 pick and move forward? If they are adamant about the later, I've never got the impression they were a "hater". That gets thrown around a lot if someone wants to trade Dame for what they believe are good reasons, or someone points how how poor historically Dame has been defensively. That sounds a lot more like reality than hate.

Someone at the Draft party said Dame was their favorite player, but only the 3rd greatest Blazer because for them, they felt they had to completely ignore defense and post-season success for Dame to be considered the GOAT over someone like Walton who won a title, was an MVP, a Finals MVP, one of the best passing big men in history, and a DPoY type player. They referred to Dame and an "accumulator" like a player in baseball that hangs around for 20 years and gets 3000 hits, but was never really that great or in the case of someone like Harold Baines, was a DH for much of his career so played no defense. '

They were telling me this while wearing a Dame jersey. Tough to argue where they were coming from in terms of team success.

I think it's unfair to call him an accumulator. I think Dame is at the forefront of the shift towards three point shooting with Curry. That interview with Paul George basically said that only two guys in the entire league could take that shot. Dame is truly special and our shitty ownership and front office have wasted that.

Dame has also had some serious barriers in his way from the very beginning.

• Bad front office - Olshey was a total bust and wasted his time.
• Bad coaching - Stotts was mediocre, and this has been further solidified by the fact that he hasn't gotten another job.
• Bad teammates - CJ to me is the accumulator

I also think it's extremely difficult to win a ring when your best player is a short scoring guard. The Warriors are the exception, not the rule. They built that team around Curry in a way that Neil never did. Curry also plays just as well off the ball as he does on it, which Dame never really has.

The only real accolade that he's missing is a ring, and that's so extremely hard to get.