Lillard to Request a Trade Edit: Lillard does not request a trade.

Post #101 » by **DeBlazerRiddem** » Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:45 pm

Warrior and now Bucks have shown you can win without any super high draft picks.. but you need a competent front office for that and I'm not convinced anyone holds our front-office to high standards.

Jsun947 · Post #102 » by **Jsun947** » Wed Jul 28, 2021 9:50 pm

JasonStern wrote:
Jsun947 wrote:There's no chance in hell that Denver trades MPJ + Murray. I'm not even convinced that makes them a better team (if Murray was healthy)

It's a star driven league. Having two of the top ten players absolutely makes Denver better. Hell, part of the reason I like a Murray+MPJ trade is that Jokić+Lillard is a much more likeable duo than Leonard+George, James+Davis, etc.

monopoman wrote:I mean isn't the goal if we deal Dame to deal all the older players and then be a pretty meh at best team for 3-4 years?

I don't understand the philosophy of trading Dame and then still staying in win-now mode.

Trading Dame and trying to stay in win-now mode doesn't make much sense. But the question is how long do you expect the rebuild to take? Taking a Warriors package around Wiseman and picks or the Knicks with Barrett and picks positions the Blazers to be good 5+ years from now depending on how the draft goes. Packages like Murray and MPJ accelerate the rebuild timeline, as they're closer to their athletic peak and they are actually proven. And it's also an easier rebuild with respect to moving CJ, Covington, and potentially Powell.

Had Olshey not made the Powell trade, a lineup of:

Murray (24)/Trent (22)/MPJ (22)/DJJ (24)/Nurkić (26)

...is a solid start to a team that could be good in 3-4 years.

As a Portland fan I like the idea of trading Lillard for Murray + Porter Jr, particularly if we're going to blow up the team. I'm very, very high on Porter as a prospect, and both him and Murray are young enough to build around. In addition Murray will miss at least most of next season and I'd be fine with sitting him a year while we tank to get a high pick in the next draft.

I'm just saying they'd be capped out with Jokic + Lillard, virtually all their depth would be gone, and they'd have almost no way to improve the team which is why I think they'd have to get Covington back in that deal.

JasonStern · Post #103 » by **JasonStern** » Wed Jul 28, 2021 10:00 pm

Jsun947 wrote:As a Portland fan I like the idea of trading Lillard for Murray + Porter Jr, particularly if we're going to blow up the team. I'm very, very high on Porter as a prospect, and both him and Murray are young enough to build around. In addition Murray will miss at least most of next season and I'd be fine with sitting him a year while we tank to get a high pick in the next draft.

I'm just saying they'd be capped out with Jokic + Lillard, virtually all their depth would be gone, and they'd have almost no way to improve the team which is why I think they'd have to get Covington back in that deal.

If you have to trade Dame, trying to get value for CJ and Covington would be the next logical moves. I'd be fine including Covington in a Murray+MPJ trade if it brought back something like a protected future 1st.

GEE · Post #104 » by **GEE** » Wed Jul 28, 2021 10:28 pm

Norm2953 wrote:It makes one wonder if Portland decides enough is enough and decides blowing the team up before
the draft is preferable to blowing the team up at the trade deadline.

If the team can't move CJ for anything more than a late lottery pick, how can they do anything
significant to please Dame? What is the point of bring back the roster with no real changes that
failed to get out of the first round, in a conference where most teams have only gotten better?

This is along the line of my thinking. You seem to see the bigger picture, or at least consider it from the owners POV as well. I see three possible avenues for Olshey:

1. Tinker with the roster making some minor upgrades, while remaining stubborn and keeping both Dame and CJ. RIDE OR DIE. This I fear is most likely to happen for several reasons, but the biggest one Duster pointed out with that article (thanks for that) showing how Olshey may have little leverage, especially with Dame continuing to make headlines like he did today.

2. Upgrade at all costs and get the most Olshey can for anyone not named Dame. ANYTHING FOR DAME. Maybe this will work, or maybe it fails badly... who knows, but even with CJ available, like others have mentioned, doesn't guarantee Olshey can do enough, to please Dame enough, for him not to ask to be traded, at the deadline. He may have ALREADY asked... nobody knows what was discussed at that meeting between Dame, Olshey and Chauncey in Vegas. Just sayin', but maybe that Barry Bondz guy was at a nearby table... JK.

3. Simply blow it up. Trade Dame while his value is Sky-high. Then, call the fire department and extinguish all negative perceptions of the Blazer brand NOW! Like someone suggested, get out in front of it, and consider all options to do so. I suggested a while back that Jody and the Vulcans might convince themselves of this, and just drop the hammer on mo-fo's. SCARFACE POWER MOVE by Jody. Blow it all to hell! Deal Dame to Golden state for Wiseman, #7 & #14, filler and more picks. Followed by the firing of Olshey and Chauncey... bring in Ainge, maybe Hammon... Mike D'... IDK, but the idea is to again be a model franchise around the NBA, with a team we can all again cheer for.

monopoman · Post #105 » by **monopoman** » Wed Jul 28, 2021 10:34 pm

I will be blown away if CJ is on this roster on opening day, this assumes that Lillard is. Making minor upgrades or rolling the dice on some new role players are not going to move the needle for this team.

At best this is a WCF team and that is if everything breaks right like it did in 2018-2019. If we trade CJ and make some bigger moves it might blow up in our face, but that is more likely to show real improvement for this team. I guess we could try to build CJ's value then trade him at the mid-season point, but that could go pretty poorly if no all-star level talent is even available then.

GEE · Post #106 » by **GEE** » Thu Jul 29, 2021 4:33 am

What makes this even more difficult, is how good this draft is looking to be. This makes me ponder what our squad could look like if we did giftwrap him to the Warriors for Wiseman, good filler, and their picks this year. Orlando for Ross, #5, #8 + could be interesting too. Could draft Suggs and draft #8, or move #8 to OKC for their two mid FRPs, resulting in 3/4 really nice players. We would then still have CJ, Nurkic to either keep (which I'd be in favor of), or to possibly deal... I don't know, but if a rebuild is a viable option anytime near, I think this draft class' depth of really good talent is rare, and would make any GM with issues consider it.

Our team could look really exciting next year with just the right Dame trade, and GS would be a gift to him IMO... what a circus that would be. And I'd be extremely happy with Wiseman, especially if we were smart enough to hire Penny. Kid tries to play like Shaq and is going to be really good I think... exactly what I want in a trade... someone to match up against a Jokic, Ghannis, Embid, Zion or AD. Nurkic I don't trust, so he can stay and also just fadeaway.

Wickzki · Post #107 » by **Wickzki** » Thu Jul 29, 2021 8:17 am

Jsun947 wrote:
Wickzki wrote:
BigLurch92 wrote:If Lillard does want out eventually I would like to see Ingram or Jaylen Brown in return.

Before I saw your post I was going to ask now that NO has traded for Valanciunas how people would react to Lillard for Ingram + Ball + some of their draft picks haul

They have all of this going forward:

2022 first round pick from LA Lakers
2023 first round pick from LA Lakers (best of NO and LAL picks)
2024 first round pick from LA Lakers
2024 first round pick from Milwaukee (best of NO and MIL picks)
2025 first round pick from Milwaukee
2026 first round pick from Milwaukee (best of NO and MIL picks)
2027 first round pick from Milwaukee (best of NO and MIL picks)

Well, Ball is a free agent so that's a problem...

In a vacuum Dame for Ingram + picks isn't the worst thing in the world but unless Lebron & AD or Giannis become crippled those Lakers and Milwaukee picks are going to be in the 20-30 range at best.

Half of those Milwaukee picks are the best of New Orleans and Milwaukee's picks. Saying that Zion and Dame with a capable 5 in Jonas is probably a current-Blazers level pick.

Would push for the 2026 and 2027 picks though.

Wizenheimer · Post #108 » by **Wizenheimer** » Thu Jul 29, 2021 3:42 pm

GEE wrote:What makes this even more difficult, is how good this draft is looking to be. This makes me ponder what our squad could look like if we did giftwrap him to the Warriors for Wiseman, good filler, and their picks this year. Orlando for Ross, #5, #8 + could be interesting too. Could draft Suggs and draft #8, or move #8 to OKC for their two mid FRPs, resulting in 3/4 really nice players. We would then still have CJ, Nurkic to either keep (which I'd be in favor of), or to possibly deal... I don't know, but if a rebuild is a viable option anytime near, I think this draft class' depth of really good talent is rare, and would make any GM with issues consider it.

Our team could look really exciting next year with just the right Dame trade, and GS would be a gift to him IMO... what a circus that would be. And I'd be extremely happy with Wiseman, especially if we were smart enough to hire Penny. Kid tries to play like Shaq and is going to be really good I think... exactly what I want in a trade... someone to match up against a Jokic, Ghannis, Embid, Zion or AD. Nurkic I don't trust, so he can stay and also just fadeaway.

if Dame is gone while Olshey & CJ still remain, I'm done being a Blazer fan. Screw that and especially screw Seattle for allowing it to happen.

The very first thing that should happen if Dame demands a trade is Olshey fired. Immediately. That oily jackass should not get to trade Dame after forcing him out of town

the next thing that should happen is a complete tear down of the team. Every player over 24 should be traded for as many picks as can be got. The notion of trying to compete with CJ as the #1 option is nauseating. All that would happen is that Portland would trade in their current Lexus treadmill for a used Camry treadmill. It would be completely pointless and just prolong the Stolshey purgatory with almost no hope of upside

the best asset Portland can secure with a Dame trade is the high lottery picks from sucking for 2 or 3 years. To sacrifice those assets just to watch CJ lead the league in dribbling and FGA's would be idiotic

JasonStern · Post #109 » by **JasonStern** » Thu Jul 29, 2021 6:30 pm

Read on Twitter

NWGunner · Post #110 » by **NWGunner** » Thu Jul 29, 2021 7:30 pm

Abbot not only doubling down but now tripling down. :banghead:

Read on Twitter

Post #111 » by **DeBlazerRiddem** » Thu Jul 29, 2021 7:41 pm

NWGunner wrote:Abbot not only doubling down but now tripling down.

Read on Twitter

Read on Twitter

What a **** snake. He's like "dont mess with my livelihood" while actively messing with Dames. Like bro, do you have any self awareness? Trash

Dame is the ultimate source and if he calls you out on spewing bull then maybe sit down and be quiet for a little bit instead of getting indignant - and hey if it turns out you were right then you can say "told you so".

We all are wrong from time to time, even more so in their industry, so you have GOT to be able to admit that and move on or you just look even less trustworthy.

DusterBuster · Post #112 » by **DusterBuster** » Fri Jul 30, 2021 1:05 am

Abbot couldn’t have played this worse. Instead of just taking the L on the initial source being incorrect, he double and triple downed and made the situation worse for himself.

I feel for the guy a little bit because I’m sure his source DID say that Dame said that, but when the person who the rumor is about so publicly discredits it… just leave it me man.

monopoman · Post #113 » by **monopoman** » Fri Jul 30, 2021 1:22 am

I love the sanctimonious holier than thou bull from this guy. When the man he is quoting is telling him "I never said that!"

Oh is his livelihood on the line here?

Oh no!!!

(Sarcasm)
I'm sure what he is reporting on has 0 affect on Lillard and his future prospects.
(/Sarcasm)

I also will point out in the real world of journalism news papers have to do their due diligence in reporting on a story. They can't just hear a random rumor from some random source and then claim it's the honest truth, they have to cross check sources for accuracy, but now in the twitter world sources mean jack ****. He could literally hear some random guy coming out of a bathroom claiming that he knows Dame is going to ask for a trade and that is good enough.

GEE · Post #114 » by **GEE** » Fri Jul 30, 2021 1:39 am

monopoman wrote:I love the sanctimonious holier than thou bull from this guy. When the man he is quoting is telling him "I never said that!"

Oh is his livelihood on the line here?

Oh no!!!

(Sarcasm)
I'm sure what he is reporting on has 0 affect on Lillard and his future prospects.
(/Sarcasm)

I also will point out in the real world of journalism news papers have to do their due diligence in reporting on a story. They can't just hear a random rumor from some random source and then claim it's the honest truth, they have to cross check sources for accuracy, but now in the twitter world sources mean jack ****. He could literally hear some random guy coming out of a bathroom claiming that he knows Dame is going to ask for a trade and that is good enough.

CRAP! Are you telling me that I've been wasting all this time refreshing the Barry Bondz Twitter feed?

Post #115 » by **The Sebastian Express** » Fri Jul 30, 2021 6:00 am

DusterBuster wrote:Abbot couldn’t have played this worse. Instead of just taking the L on the initial source being incorrect, he double and triple downed and made the situation worse for himself.

I feel for the guy a little bit because I’m sure his source DID say that Dame said that, but when the person who the rumor is about so publicly discredits it… just leave it me man.

Here's what I don't get it.

This apparently took place in a meeting between Olympic players. And somehow Henry Abbott think he's the only one that got the scoop.

Multiple players.

Not Woj, not Sham, not Chris Haynes (Dame's guy), not Marc Stein, not any real big national writer, not even one.. except for Abbott.

Why did Abbott not just sit there and think "Okay. My source said Dame was demanding a trade in the coming days. That didn't come true. Here we are two weeks later, I'm still the only one who apparently has this Olympic dinner Dame venting about the Blazers story.. hmmm.. I wonder if it could be wrong.."

But instead he was like, "Nah, it's good."

And then he gets called out and tells Dame to be 'very careful' about calling him a liar.

This is just a terrible look for Abbott who has been taking big Ls ever since he sold to ESPN like 12+ years ago.

JasonStern · Post #116 » by **JasonStern** » Fri Jul 30, 2021 6:14 pm

But he named his site TrueHoop so what he posts must be true!

Post #117 » by **DeBlazerRiddem** » Fri Jul 30, 2021 7:05 pm

JasonStern wrote:But he named his site TrueHoop so what he posts must be true!

Ah hahaha

My 3 favorite hypocrisy's from him in that short exchange:

1. Dont mess with my livelihood (while I mess with yours!)
2. I named my site True Hoop so I cant be a liar (after I published a demonstrably false story)
3. Please be careful (after I published a story about someone without checking the facts with them first)

Wizenheimer · Post #118 » by **Wizenheimer** » Sat Jul 31, 2021 3:57 pm

give Abbott some credit...he put himself in a circular firing squad of one. Not easy to do

PDXKnight · Post #119 » by **PDXKnight** » Sat Jul 31, 2021 7:29 pm

Wizenheimer wrote:give Abbott some credit...he put himself in a circular firing squad of one. Not easy to do

man i know they love pumping up rumors but lillard made him look bad in a pretty epic fashion when he called him on his bs

zzaj · Post #120 » by **zzaj** » Sun Aug 1, 2021 4:38 pm

Wizenheimer wrote:
GEE wrote:What makes this even more difficult, is how good this draft is looking to be. This makes me ponder what our squad could look like if we did giftwrap him to the Warriors for Wiseman, good filler, and their picks this year. Orlando for Ross, #5, #8 + could be interesting too. Could draft Suggs and draft #8, or move #8 to OKC for their two mid FRPs, resulting in 3/4 really nice players. We would then still have CJ, Nurkic to either keep (which I'd be in favor of), or to possibly deal... I don't know, but if a rebuild is a viable option anytime near, I think this draft class' depth of really good talent is rare, and would make any GM with issues consider it.

Our team could look really exciting next year with just the right Dame trade, and GS would be a gift to him IMO... what a circus that would be. And I'd be extremely happy with Wiseman, especially if we were smart enough to hire Penny. Kid tries to play like Shaq and is going to be really good I think... exactly what I want in a trade... someone to match up against a Jokic, Ghannis, Embid, Zion or AD. Nurkic I don't trust, so he can stay and also just fadeaway.

if Dame is gone while Olshey & CJ still remain, I'm done being a Blazer fan. Screw that and especially screw Seattle for allowing it to happen.

The very first thing that should happen if Dame demands a trade is Olshey fired. Immediately. That oily jackass should not get to trade Dame after forcing him out of town

the next thing that should happen is a complete tear down of the team. Every player over 24 should be traded for as many picks as can be got. The notion of trying to compete with CJ as the #1 option is nauseating. All that would happen is that Portland would trade in their current Lexus treadmill for a used Camry treadmill. It would be completely pointless and just prolong the Stolshey purgatory with almost no hope of upside

the best asset Portland can secure with a Dame trade is the high lottery picks from sucking for 2 or 3 years. To sacrifice those assets just to watch CJ lead the league in dribbling and FGA's would be idiotic

AMEN.