Trade Deadline Approaches

[Pattycakes]

Am I the only one that saw our moves as a positive based on the team we actually are currently?

They aren't earth shattering but they are positive for where we sit. Now if we go and blow 180 mil on resigning jerami all of these moves look a lot dumber so the verdict is out. Maybe, just maybe, the blazers will consider a dame deal this summer once it becomes more apparent we aren't gonna win a title anytime soon. If we are stuck with Grant for 4 years at just south of 50 million a year I'll be ready for a new owner and a clean house even more than I am right now

I honestly don’t see Dame coming back. I think it’ll be a very mutual departure that allows us to get maximum return, and after the stellar season he’s having thus far, I think the return will set us up well. We did what we could but it wasn’t enough.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Am I the only one that saw our moves as a positive based on the team we actually are currently?

I don't think it's that others don't see it as a positive, as much as everyone just expected something more to happen, myself included.

[Moonbeam]

Am I the only one that saw our moves as a positive based on the team we actually are currently?

They aren't earth shattering but they are positive for where we sit. Now if we go and blow 180 mil on resigning jerami all of these moves look a lot dumber so the verdict is out. Maybe, just maybe, the blazers will consider a dame deal this summer once it becomes more apparent we aren't gonna win a title anytime soon. If we are stuck with Grant for 4 years at just south of 50 million a year I'll be ready for a new owner and a clean house even more than I am right now

I honestly don’t see Dame coming back. I think it’ll be a very mutual departure that allows us to get maximum return, and after the stellar season he’s having thus far, I think the return will set us up well. We did what we could but it wasn’t enough.

While it's true that Dame alone isn't enough to build a contender, and he's never really been a top-5 guy in the league (IMO), I strongly disagree with the notion that management did what it could. I'd go as far as saying that management has been consistently sub-par throughout Lillard's tenure here. Olshey had a few good draft picks (that was his strong suit), but his toxic culture, a number of bad contracts (as well as contract offers that would have been bad had the players ended up with team), holding onto assets for too long, and hiring a rookie head coach to a 5-year deal have been far from ideal. Cronin doesn't seem to be much better in terms of roster construction, although he is hampered by the ghost of Olshey somewhat. I think management has been among the bottom 10 on average throughout Lillard's time in Portland.

[Case2012]

Olshey wouldn't trade 4 firsts and CJ for harden, Paul George, or Butler and could have according to Haynes. Instead he used those picks on Collins, Afflalo, Nance and Roco. Portland didn't do what they could, they mismanaged assets to a shocking degree. Putrid effort. Idk now much of it is on Cronin or on Paul, Jody and Burt but the last 2 need to go before I can be a fan of this team I think. It's a slap in the face to Lillard and the fans the way they run this team.

[PDXKnight]

Thybulle has tons of defensive ability with zero offense and it sounds like Philly fans consider him a bust. So much has changed in 2 years before philly fans didn't want to give him up for anything

[PDXKnight]

Am I the only one that saw our moves as a positive based on the team we actually are currently?

I don't think it's that others don't see it as a positive, as much as everyone just expected something more to happen, myself included.

It depends on the unknowns. If Toronto was asking for Sharpe hart and 2-3 firsts for og they can get lost. If we squandered opportunity again then Bert kolde and Jody can get lost

[Norm2953]

I do think one can agree with Portland doing a stealth tank and with 27 games left to play, and
can hope one of Utah, LAL or OKC can finish ahead of them to get into the lottery.

I keep thinking about Portland having potential cap space if they let everyone walk. They can
build around Simons and Sharpe and might have a ton of cap space if Dame asks out. Hopefully
this time, they will do it right and be flush with tons of picks/swaps to get the pieces they
have needed since LA and Batum left town.

[Jsun947]

The only thing we can do to dramatically improve is to win the lottery and get Wemby.

That’s my hot take

[Decipher]

Thybulle has tons of defensive ability with zero offense and it sounds like Philly fans consider him a bust. So much has changed in 2 years before philly fans didn't want to give him up for anything

There's a Sixers fan on Twitter who breaks down his impact on the game using stats

Admittedly, the guy also hates Doc & uses it to trash Rivers but numbers never lie

Thybulle is also a quality human so you guys have gotten yourself a good one

[Village Idiot]

I've been a massive Thybulle fan since he was at UW (go Huskies!) Awesome person and I feel he still has a lot to provide and some growth potential

The rest of the deals were a massive disappointment.

New York pick - This seems like Cronin making the same idiotic mistake he made with the Pelicans. They had both two first and instead of getting the lower of the two we go zilch. The Knicks have both their own pick and the Mavs pick. One of those should convey but maybe we get neither, just like last year

The 2nds - clearly the value of 2nd round picks is super low. Some of the picks we got have protection and might not convey

Reddish - he has sucked thus far in his career. no 3 and no D. What's the point here?
Knox - see above. Why did we get him instead of Nerlens Noel, whom we could actually use both this year and going forward? If the point was to free up time for player development, why move the log-jam from SG to SF when this team desperately needs a guy like Noel who is just sitting and rotting on the end of the Pistons bench.

[PDXKnight]

Apparently payton didn't want to be in Portland a mere 50 games after inking a contract. This news If true makes me happy we ditched him

[BlazersBroncos]

Apparently payton didn't want to be in Portland a mere 50 games after inking a contract. This news If true makes me happy we ditched him

Going from a winning organization with a elite coach and a tremendous, flowing offensive system to, well, whatever you call what Portland has would be a shock to anyone.

Who wouldnt want to be in an offensive system that has Jerami Grant taking dribble-dribble-turns back-midrange fadeaways and Anfernee Simons creating as much efficient offense as the Russian military.

As for the DL, I actually like all the moves because they align with a rebuild more or less. I think EC Hart for Cam and a FRP is a great return. Think buying Matisse cheap was a nice swing and while GP2 has value to a contender we are not that so saving some cash and getting 5 SRP is fine by me.

I am tremendously happy we didnt end up moving 3 FRP for OG or 4 FRP for Mikal. Those guys would make great #3's, but neither is good enough to be 2nd banana.

This is the most talented draft in years and there is a great chance we come out of it with picks in the 10 and 20 range. Thats huge. I hope we dont waste those on some middling win-now guy like OG and just freaking rebuild already. With the pick packages that established guys are bring back lately we should be looking at 5 FRP for Dame. Just rip the bandaid for the love of god.

On a side note, love the fit of Gradey Dick at SF if he really is 6'8. Would be a great fit next to SS long term - a bit like a taller Kevin Huerter. And Noah Clowney w/ the NYK pick - see some Nic Claxton / Daniel Gafford in him.

[Norm2953]

Let's just hope there is no more nonsense about sacrificing everything for non elite talent for we all
know unless that player is on Dame's level, it's not going to be enough. Teams like Portland are not in
position to be for a leap of faith move for they are what they are which is a .500 team that is destined
for at best, a first round playoff loss assuming they survive the play in round.

[Goldbum]

Bull should start at the 3. If not I hope it's Reddish with Nas backing him up and Shaedon/Bull/Nas off the bench. Knox once had off the charts potential not in love but he could be Okay...still I would hope we cut him and bring in Dwight Howard

[BlazersBroncos]

Bull should start at the 3. If not I hope it's Reddish with Nas backing him up and Shaedon/Bull/Nas off the bench. Knox once had off the charts potential not in love but he could be Okay...still I would hope we cut him and bring in Dwight Howard

I think it should be Cam or Thybulle starting at the 3 w/ Nas as the primary backup PF. Winslow has no future here. Give the kids run.

G - Damian Lillard (34) / Anfernee Simons (14)
G - Anfernee Simons (20) / Shadeon Sharpe (28)
F - Cam Reddish (24) / Matisse Thybulle (18) / Nas Little (6)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Nas Little (14)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (28) / Drew Eubanks (20)

And age wise -

G - Damian Lillard (34) / Keon Johnson (20)
G - Anfernee Simons (23) / Shadeon Sharpe (19)
F - Cam Reddish (23) / Matisse Thybulle (25)
F - Jerami Grant (28) / Nas Little (22) / Jabari Walker JR (20)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (28) / Drew Eubanks (25) / Trendon Watford (22)

[Village Idiot]

Bull should start at the 3. If not I hope it's Reddish with Nas backing him up and Shaedon/Bull/Nas off the bench. Knox once had off the charts potential not in love but he could be Okay...still I would hope we cut him and bring in Dwight Howard

I think it should be Cam or Thybulle starting at the 3 w/ Nas as the primary backup PF. Winslow has no future here. Give the kids run.

G - Damian Lillard (34) / Anfernee Simons (14)
G - Anfernee Simons (20) / Shadeon Sharpe (28)
F - Cam Reddish (24) / Matisse Thybulle (18) / Nas Little (6)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Nas Little (14)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (28) / Drew Eubanks (20)

And age wise -

G - Damian Lillard (34) / Keon Johnson (20)
G - Anfernee Simons (23) / Shadeon Sharpe (19)
F - Cam Reddish (23) / Matisse Thybulle (25)
F - Jerami Grant (28) / Nas Little (22) / Jabari Walker JR (20)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (28) / Drew Eubanks (25) / Trendon Watford (22)

Winslow isn't all that old. The team has a winning record with him and a losing record without him. On that second unit he fits well next to Simons in that he can also play the 1. I like Justise. He's a good guy to keep. Its not like he's expensive or anything.

[DusterBuster]

Apparently payton didn't want to be in Portland a mere 50 games after inking a contract. This news If true makes me happy we ditched him

The dude literally said the only reason he signed with Portland was that they offered the most money on a pod a few weeks after signing his deal, then pretty clearly milked his injury when the team needed him back in Nov/Dec and seemed pretty uninterested in being part of the team. Good freaking riddance, he was gonna be a bad contract anyway.

[Case2012]

Bull should start at the 3. If not I hope it's Reddish with Nas backing him up and Shaedon/Bull/Nas off the bench. Knox once had off the charts potential not in love but he could be Okay...still I would hope we cut him and bring in Dwight Howard

I think it should be Cam or Thybulle starting at the 3 w/ Nas as the primary backup PF. Winslow has no future here. Give the kids run.

G - Damian Lillard (34) / Anfernee Simons (14)
G - Anfernee Simons (20) / Shadeon Sharpe (28)
F - Cam Reddish (24) / Matisse Thybulle (18) / Nas Little (6)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Nas Little (14)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (28) / Drew Eubanks (20)

And age wise -

G - Damian Lillard (34) / Keon Johnson (20)
G - Anfernee Simons (23) / Shadeon Sharpe (19)
F - Cam Reddish (23) / Matisse Thybulle (25)
F - Jerami Grant (28) / Nas Little (22) / Jabari Walker JR (20)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (28) / Drew Eubanks (25) / Trendon Watford (22)

Dame is 32.. It’s a consistent issue with people on this board saying Dame is older than he is and I don’t know why. Maybe because it reinforces the narrative that we need to trade him because he’s so old or whatever but it’s really weird.

[BNM]

Bull should start at the 3. If not I hope it's Reddish with Nas backing him up and Shaedon/Bull/Nas off the bench. Knox once had off the charts potential not in love but he could be Okay...still I would hope we cut him and bring in Dwight Howard

I think it should be Cam or Thybulle starting at the 3 w/ Nas as the primary backup PF. Winslow has no future here. Give the kids run.

G - Damian Lillard (34) / Anfernee Simons (14)
G - Anfernee Simons (20) / Shadeon Sharpe (28)
F - Cam Reddish (24) / Matisse Thybulle (18) / Nas Little (6)
F - Jerami Grant (34) / Nas Little (14)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (28) / Drew Eubanks (20)

And age wise -

G - Damian Lillard (34) / Keon Johnson (20)
G - Anfernee Simons (23) / Shadeon Sharpe (19)
F - Cam Reddish (23) / Matisse Thybulle (25)
F - Jerami Grant (28) / Nas Little (22) / Jabari Walker JR (20)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (28) / Drew Eubanks (25) / Trendon Watford (22)

Dame is 32.. It’s a consistent issue with people on this board saying Dame is older than he is and I don’t know why. Maybe because it reinforces the narrative that we need to trade him because he’s so old or whatever but it’s really weird.

Yeah, it's just weird. Dame is currently 32 years and 210 days old. He won't even turn 33 until mid-July. He's also having the best, most efficient season of his career (30.9 PTS/G on .643 TS%). If POR was a top 3 team in the West, Dame would legitimately be in the MVP conversation.

Also why cut Knox to free up a roster spot when we can just cut Arcidiacono to free up a spot? Better still, cut them both and sign two veterans (either two bigs or a big and a PG) to vet min deals. The vet min is $2.6 million (for a player with 10+ years experience) and we have $6.1 million available under the tax threshold.

[BlazersBroncos]

I just errantly forgot to adjust Dame from minutes to age.