Windhorst: Dame and supermax

[illmatic99]

Did you all catch this from yesterday? http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26363899/is-season-blip-new-normal-lebron-james

DAMIAN LILLARD IS probably going to be voted to the All-NBA team, making him eligible for a supermax contract extension this summer. But he has an interesting choice.

Lillard has two years and $60 million left on his deal. If the Blazers offer the extension -- and they are likely to -- he could add four years and $194 million to create a six-year, $250 million commitment.

He's in the same position as John Wall, James Harden and Russell Westbrook, all of whom extended their contracts early when they became supermax eligible and all locked in deals worth more than $200 million. This is how the owners hoped this would work when the supermax was installed, hugely reward franchise players and lock them down long before free agency.

Because Lillard also made All-NBA last season, he's on the verge of giving himself a window to sign a supermax this summer OR next summer. That's an important option and not just because he could add $50 million and an extra year by waiting.

There's some uncertainty with the Blazers and their ownership situation. Though nothing firm has been announced, with Paul Allen's death there is a possibility the team could be sold, which could change everything. Just last season, Lillard had a meeting with Allen to discuss the direction of the franchise, which was a little unsettling to the fan base.

That said, though, these days Lillard is feeling very settled. Whatever frustrations he talked to Allen about have calmed, sources report, and he's very comfortable with his commitment to the Blazers. There are no Lillard concerns about ownership uncertainty right now either, I'm told.

The signs are pointing toward Lillard being interested in a Blazers extension offer this summer. Unlike other stars like Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and Anthony Davis who asked for trades instead of signing the supermax, Lillard has sent signals that he's interested in locking up a quarter of a billion in the days leading up to his 29th birthday in July.

In the wake of the Jusuf Nurkic injury, which reminded everyone how unpredictable the game can be, it makes a lot of sense.

 

[illmatic99]

This would be a massive win for the front office if they get him to sign it this year instead of next. 4 more yrs 194 mil would lock him up for all his prime.

This is huge.

 

[tlongII]

Pay the man.

 

[Reep]

I've always liked Dame, but there was a time when I wasn't sure if it would be a good idea to commit that much for that long. Not any more. He is the real deal and amazingly continues to improve his game every year. Maybe the best leader and floor general in the league right now.

 

[BlazerBeav]

Lillard has sent signals that he's interested in locking up a quarter of a billion in the days leading up to his 29th birthday in July.

What an insane statement that is. It's great news, but still, insane.

 

[illmatic99]

I've always liked Dame, but there was a time when I wasn't sure if it would be a good idea to commit that much for that long. Not any more. He is the real deal and amazingly continues to improve his game every year. Maybe the best leader and floor general in the league right now.

He is a top 10 player and will continue to be one for the next 5 yrs given good health. Knock on wood.

I don't want him in any other uniform. This franchise has lost so much $ for dead contracts and shit players before. Paying him an extra 30-40 mil is nothing. I don't care that the article said the team could be sold. It doesn't matter. Any new owner will want him as a foundational piece regardless of price.

 

[joeBlazers]

Having him as the face of this franchise is huge. I know, I don't like these players signing these huge deals ... but in our case, I believe it makes sense. A good level headed guy. Never been in trouble. Always saying the right things. Loves to live in PDX ...
Should be a no brainer.

 

[Wizard Mentor]

A Blazer getting a "quarter of a billion" dollar deal.
Playing a game whose "update" takes 2.3 Gig (MtgA)

Man, I must be getting old, because these things are a shock to the system.

 

[illmatic99]

 

[B-Roy]

Does Dame have a shot at first team over Curry? His PER has actually surpassed Curry. He’s also played 11 more games. Curry has better on off and plays on the better team, but if Dame can blitz his way through these last games without CJ and Nurk I think he has a shot.

 

[hoopsjock]

Does Dame have a shot at first team over Curry? His PER has actually surpassed Curry. He’s also played 11 more games. Curry has better on off and plays on the better team, but if Dame can blitz his way through these last games without CJ and Nurk I think he has a shot.

As crappy as it is I think it depends on where we end up in the standings. If we're the 3rd seed then I'd say he probably should be on the 1st Team. If we fall out of having home court advantage then he'll probably end up on the 2nd or 3rd Team.

 

[B-Roy]

There is no way Dame is 3rd team. If he didn't play the last 10 games he would still be the first guard selected on the second team.

It's just I would love if he made 1st team twice in a row. No Blazer has ever done that.

 

[illmatic99]

Does Dame have a shot at first team over Curry? His PER has actually surpassed Curry. He’s also played 11 more games. Curry has better on off and plays on the better team, but if Dame can blitz his way through these last games without CJ and Nurk I think he has a shot.

It's staggering how close the numbers are. Dame's 3pt% is the only thing holding him back.

 

[illmatic99]

As crappy as it is I think it depends on where we end up in the standings. If we're the 3rd seed then I'd say he probably should be on the 1st Team. If we fall out of having home court advantage then he'll probably end up on the 2nd or 3rd Team.

2nd team at worst. There aren't that many worthy guards outside of Curry/Harden/Kyrie.

Edit: Kemba and Beal are in the group, but he has too many losses. And Russ' late season bump isn't enough to compensate for his shit efficiency much of the season. Ben Simmons isn't there yet.

Edit 2: They better not put Klay up there. Actually, I hope he they do and he becomes supermax eligibile to put GS is even bigger cap hell.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Does Dame have a shot at first team over Curry? His PER has actually surpassed Curry. He’s also played 11 more games. Curry has better on off and plays on the better team, but if Dame can blitz his way through these last games without CJ and Nurk I think he has a shot.

Interesting. Seems unlikely to get 1st, but I see the argument.

Looks like there's probably going to be a lot of controversy with the all-NBA teams this year. For the forwards, Giannis is really the only first-team lock; after him, how do you parse Lebron, Durant, George, Kawhi? Where do you slot Blake, AD, Montrezl?

The centers are going to be even tougher--Jokic likely gets 1st team, but then...KAT, Embiid, Vucevic, Gobert, Aldridge(?), Drummond. Arguments could be made for any of them.

 

[hoopsjock]

2nd team at worst. There aren't that many worthy guards outside of Curry/Harden/Kyrie.

I agree with that assessment and I think Dame is clearly above Kyrie, but you never know. I think he's a lock to qualify for the Super Max though.

It's staggering how close the numbers are. Dame's 3pt% is the only thing holding him back.

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The 3PAr is a key reason why there is a difference. That pretty obviously shows that Curry plays with better players and gets more open looks off teammates passing him the ball.

It's very misleading for Eric Griffith to say he's leaving $50+ million in guaranteed money on the table. If Dame was healthy at the end of the Super Max he'd almost certainly sign one more NBA deal which could end up being that much or possibly more anyway. If he was worried about injury (especially after watching Nurk), it makes just as much sense to lock in a deal now instead of waiting a year as it would be to worry about getting injured later in his career. If we take Dame at his word it may be that this summer if he still believes what he said he can prove that with his actions. If he waits things can change both from management and his thoughts (see LaMarcus Aldridge).

I'd actually be surprised if he waited.

 

[BigGameDamian]

Give the man your shorts!