DO YOU LIKE OUR BLAZERS ROSTER?

[GEE]

Blazers should have gotten a big haul for Dame, and went with a Hart Simons background.

Instead we're going to be in mediocre land till Dame retires at as a massively over-paid more man's 38 year old Kobe.

I was a fairly lonely advocate of at least considering trading Dame, but that was like a year ago when Dame's value and options were "different". Simons and Hart IS really good in my eyes too, and we will see plenty of it next season. I love having both Hart(for the PG13s) and GP2(for most others) as options at SG.

As far as Dame's extension, I just feel like there must have been some lengthy discussions with Dame, before the Brass gave him that (very KOBE-like), Retire with the Blazers for sure extension. At least I hope that Cronin had some demands of Dame, to agree to fully commit to Chauncey's way (vs Stotts), and likely play a much different role than years before. At least I hope this happened.

And I think I read that next seasons' cap already went up like $10 mil. Peanuts, but helpful. The big deal will be with the new TV contract with the NBA, which I think is coming due soon. That deal could make Dame's contract look like a bargain, because I'd heard some speculate that it could morph the current one.

[DaVoiceMaster]

How many players of Lillard's caliber have the Blazers drafted or even had play for them during their prime years? The Blazers aren't one of the big market teams who get someone like that every few years. We dont have players like that even wanting to come here as a free agent. Why in the world would the Blazers look to trade him when he wants to be here? Drexler didn't want to be in Portland. Sure, the Blazers could trade him and maybe get a decent return, but keeping him says so much more about the organization. I debated for a while, but I'm a Lillard fan so those thoughts lasted about 5 minutes. I'm glad he's going to be around for the foreseeable future.

[mighty_duck]

How many players of Lillard's caliber have the Blazers drafted or even had play for them during their prime years? The Blazers aren't one of the big market teams who get someone like that every few years. We dont have players like that even wanting to come here as a free agent. Why in the world would the Blazers look to trade him when he wants to be here? Drexler didn't want to be in Portland. Sure, the Blazers could trade him and maybe get a decent return, but keeping him says so much more about the organization. I debated for a while, but I'm a Lillard fan so those thoughts lasted about 5 minutes. I'm glad he's going to be around for the foreseeable future.

While I see where you are coming from, and have nothing but love and respect for Dame, I think the current path we're on does both Dame and the Blazers a disservice.

If we are not contending, and have no likely path to contend, then we should be tearing it down and rebuilding. And it should start with trading Dame.

As a Blazers fan and a Lillard fan, I'd prefer Dame gets a chance to win a championship, even if it's not with us. And I'd prefer we have a chance at some day contending, even if it isn't in the next few years. Finishing in 7th and viewing a first round exit as a success doesn't inspire me as a fan.

[zzaj]

How many players of Lillard's caliber have the Blazers drafted or even had play for them during their prime years? The Blazers aren't one of the big market teams who get someone like that every few years. We dont have players like that even wanting to come here as a free agent. Why in the world would the Blazers look to trade him when he wants to be here? Drexler didn't want to be in Portland. Sure, the Blazers could trade him and maybe get a decent return, but keeping him says so much more about the organization. I debated for a while, but I'm a Lillard fan so those thoughts lasted about 5 minutes. I'm glad he's going to be around for the foreseeable future.

While I see where you are coming from, and have nothing but love and respect for Dame, I think the current path we're on does both Dame and the Blazers a disservice.

If we are not contending, and have no likely path to contend, then we should be tearing it down and rebuilding. And it should start with trading Dame.

As a Blazers fan and a Lillard fan, I'd prefer Dame gets a chance to win a championship, even if it's not with us. And I'd prefer we have a chance at some day contending, even if it isn't in the next few years. Finishing in 7th and viewing a first round exit as a success doesn't inspire me as a fan.

This "if we're not contending, we should tear it down" narrative is fine if you're a fan. It's definitely not the way management and ownership is going to see the situation, however. There are many, many reasons to avoid a complete tear down at all costs for a financially solvent franchise. As a fan of the Blazers and Lillard, I'd prefer Lillard gets a chance to play where he wants to play...so far that's the Blazers.

[Case2012]

I think we can contend if we make a few more moves. It starts with trading Ant not Dame though. Trade Ant for OG and Keon plus a second for Vanderbilt at the deadline to shore up our bench with more defense. (Obviously getting a deal done for og is easier said than done but I think Ant will be a 23/4 guy on 40% from 3 at the deadline so I think the value is there. I think it would probably be Hart and Sharpe plus a pick for salary but I would prefer to keep them. )

That gives us Og, Grant, Winslow, Hart, Nas, Nurkic and Payton on the defensive end.

Dame/Payton
Hart/Sharpe
OG/Nas
Grant/Winslow
Nurkic/Vanderbilt

I don't see how that's not a top 5 defense and offense.

[DaVoiceMaster]

How many players of Lillard's caliber have the Blazers drafted or even had play for them during their prime years? The Blazers aren't one of the big market teams who get someone like that every few years. We dont have players like that even wanting to come here as a free agent. Why in the world would the Blazers look to trade him when he wants to be here? Drexler didn't want to be in Portland. Sure, the Blazers could trade him and maybe get a decent return, but keeping him says so much more about the organization. I debated for a while, but I'm a Lillard fan so those thoughts lasted about 5 minutes. I'm glad he's going to be around for the foreseeable future.

While I see where you are coming from, and have nothing but love and respect for Dame, I think the current path we're on does both Dame and the Blazers a disservice.

If we are not contending, and have no likely path to contend, then we should be tearing it down and rebuilding. And it should start with trading Dame.

As a Blazers fan and a Lillard fan, I'd prefer Dame gets a chance to win a championship, even if it's not with us. And I'd prefer we have a chance at some day contending, even if it isn't in the next few years. Finishing in 7th and viewing a first round exit as a success doesn't inspire me as a fan.

It takes time to build a contender. Let's not think the Blazers are done building. This is just the beginning.

[Goldbum]

If we are really swinging for the fences how about

Josh Hart + Justice Winslow
4
Johnathan Isaac?

I get the injury history with Isaac but if he'd been healthy this deal wouldn't be available.
Hart is the perfect guy to compliment their young guards. Winslow become a nice defender at the big wing and 4 off the bench.
It's a gamble but if everything works out could be exactly what we need.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Isaac would hate being in Portland and Portland would dislike him, its a poor fit from a culture perspective.

[m0ng0]

As much as I like Isaac as a person and a player I don't think he is a significant upgrade over Hart and Winslow...Hart is a very underrated player, I mean he is really, really, good and fills a role here and seems to have bought into what Chauncey is doing and building here. Billups is trying to build a culture here and it takes a certain kind of guy to buy in.

I don't know what his contact looks like, he does have a history of injuries and as De said culturally/politically he is not a good fit here...too bad actually.

[BlazersBroncos]

If Isaac is avaliable for Hart and Winslow, his return hasnt gone that well. If he is playing like before injury, he wont be avaliable for Hart and Winslow.

Culturally, who cares. The city got over what Billups brought (Which was MUCH more serious).

[Case2012]

Not an Isaac fan, the guy has barely played. Hart is a better rebounder as a 2 than Isaac with his freak wingspan.

[HoopsFanAZ]

If it was for Hart and Winslow, then Cronin should welcome Isaac as a Blazer in a heartbeat. I like Hart for near starter minutes, and Winslow is a useful bench player. A young, healthy Isaac at 6’10 with wingspan and who already plays serious D? I’m in.

[GEE]

The thinking is correct IMO, but the player may not be. We're very well positioned to make a consolidation trade and I do think our next target upgrade will be a 4/5, but I think we'll get much better than an Isaac.

Unless there's something just to good to pass on, I think we're set until the Trade DL gets close.

[BlazersBroncos]

Isaac is a great option if Pascal doesn’t become available. I take him over OG and Simmons personally when considering cost.

I think JI has upside OG lacks and would cost less + will take the silly views JI has over the pure lack of gumption Ben constantly displays.

He is a defensive game changer when healthy. Grant and JI at Forward would be sick.

[GEE]

I think the guy we end up getting to upgrade from Eubanks, won't be someone that we expect, but rather a target that Cronin and "The Scout" may surprise us with... much like J.Walker. A SLEEPER.

[Case2012]

Apparently crowder is available... I was really upset Olshey didn't persue him 2 years ago.

I think someone like OG is still the target at the deadline, but crowder could be had for a lot less given his age and contract.

Crowder, Payton, Hart, Grant and Winslow would give us one of the best defenses in the league. Obviously you have be to give something to get though.
.
What would Phoenix want?

Nas, Keon, and Watford works in the trade machine. I'm pretty high on Nas but he's about to get paid especially if he improves from last year and he's rumored to be the starting 3. Watford and Johnson both showed a lot during the tank too. Is giving up 3 prospects worth 32 year old Crowder? The guy is a winner wherever he goes and would give our team a much needed defensive identity and toughness. Get Vanderbilt after this and we're in contender conversations imo.

Nas, Watford, Keon for Crowder and a first.

Send that first to Utah with a tpe for Vanderbilt.

Dame/Payton
Ant/Hart/Sharpe
Crowder/Winslow/Walker
Grant/Vanderbilt
Nurkic/Eubanks

[BNM]

Apparently crowder is available... I was really upset Olshey didn't persue him 2 years ago.

I think someone like OG is still the target at the deadline, but crowder could be had for a lot less given his age and contract.

Crowder, Payton, Hart, Grant and Winslow would give us one of the best defenses in the league. Obviously you have be to give something to get though.
.
What would Phoenix want?

Nas, Keon, and Watford works in the trade machine. I'm pretty high on Nas but he's about to get paid especially if he improves from last year and he's rumored to be the starting 3. Watford and Johnson both showed a lot during the tank too. Is giving up 3 prospects worth 32 year old Crowder? The guy is a winner wherever he goes and would give our team a much needed defensive identity and toughness. Get Vanderbilt after this and we're in contender conversations imo.

Nas, Watford, Keon for Crowder and a first.

Send that first to Utah with a tpe for Vanderbilt.

Dame/Payton
Ant/Hart/Sharpe
Crowder/Winslow/Walker
Grant/Vanderbilt
Nurkic/Eubanks

I wouldn't trade Nas for Crowder straight up, let alone throw in additional assets. If you look at a comparison of their performance last season, in terms of counting stats, they were very similar. Crowder has an edge on defense, but Nas is a much more efficient shooter.

Given the 10 year age difference, you would be selling low on Nas and buying high on Crowder. Nas showed significant improvement last year, and Crowder's production has declined three years in a row - a trend that concerns me. It's very possible Nas ends up the better player this year, and he will certainly be better going forward as Crowder continues to decline.

I've always been a fan of Crowder, but his best years are behind him and Nas' best years lie ahead.

[BlazersBroncos]

Love Crowder but he is declining. I would gamble that one of Nas / Winslow can bring Crowder caliber play this season. I dont think that is a wild statement.

Keon isnt just a throw-in either. Kid has real talent and his shot improvement from college to his rookie year is consistently understated. He made strides in that field that likely extrapolate to a guy that can be a consistent 38%+ shooter.

[Case2012]

Crowder has been a winner wherever he goes. He's also the same age as Dame so it's not like he's over the hill.

Maybe we can ust keep Nas and acquire Vanderbilt some other way. Either way, I think we need to keep loading up on defensive wings if we want to contend while Dame is still in his prime.

[Case2012]

A three team trade works in the trade checker with Winslow and Keon going to Phoenix, Crowder and Vanderbilt to Portland with Watford going to Utah.

Dame/Payton
Simons/Hart/Sharpe
Nas/Crowder/Walker
Grant/Vanderbilt/Brown
Nurkic/Eubanks

The defensive potential of that group surrounding one of Dame or Simons at all times is tantalizing.