Tom Dundon says Try Me (8/13/26)

DoItALL9 · Post #1 » by **DoItALL9** » Mon Jul 27, 2026 4:17 pm

Tom Dundon in an effort to coerce the city of Portland to pay for a new arena floats a trade rumor scheduled for 8/13/26, the Day after the Portland City council vote.

To Portland (PDX): Joel Embiid

To Philadelphia (PHI): Donovan Clingan, Deni Advija, and Jrue Holiday

(Lillard has an NTC, no trade clause so he couldn't be used)

Why?

PDX - this a classic move in the steps of relocating a team. This would likely be a point of no return for PDX fans. They would revolt, lose money, and the team would become movable. Otoh, all the franchise/Dundon wants is for the city to pay for the arena upgrades. The Trailblazers/Paul Allen sold the arena to the city for $1 in 2024.

PHI - A young center, a great defender/coming him "home", & an all-star who is likely someone that could be repackaged for valuable assets down the line for PHI

PDX would never do this you say? What wouldn't you do to save $600M?

Sent from my moto g - 2025 using RealGM mobile app

jbk1234 · Post #2 » by **jbk1234** » Mon Jul 27, 2026 4:22 pm

I mean The Blazers have a lease until 2030. I don't see how it's in Dundon's interest to lose money, like a lot of money, for the next three seasons by deliberately torching the revenue side of the equation. It's not like Embiid's going to say you don't have to pay me now.

Edit: This fails even based on its own premise as Dundon would surely want as much future draft capital back as possible so that when the team relocates, and Embiid falls off the books, then the team would be well positioned after the move.

cucad8 · Post #3 » by **cucad8** » Mon Jul 27, 2026 4:23 pm

This is beyond awful for portland, gimme a break.

Godaddycurse · Post #4 » by **Godaddycurse** » Mon Jul 27, 2026 4:31 pm

why did OP decide on Embiid though? why not just some other random filler instead of (one of) the worst contract in the league

jscott · Post #5 » by **jscott** » Mon Jul 27, 2026 4:48 pm

Brutal for POR.

wemby · Post #6 » by **wemby** » Mon Jul 27, 2026 4:52 pm

You can make a case for Dundon moving talent for financial reasons, you cannot make a case of Embiid alone being the ideal target for this purpose. There are probably hundreds of variations with your premise in mind that make more sense than this proposal.

gswhoops · Post #7 » by **gswhoops** » Mon Jul 27, 2026 5:00 pm

What is the point of this thread.

Post #8 » by **Texas Chuck** » Mon Jul 27, 2026 5:04 pm

Troll threads like this have no place on this board. Attempts at humor should always be posted on the General Board where you will be greeted with and 1's galore I'm sure.