Lillard: I don't want to be a part of a rebuild.

[DusterBuster]

Haynes putting cold water on the sports pants of NY media.

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[Norm2953]

He's still got $77 million left on his deal and if traded to Portland, would just be another
guy sitting behind the Blazers bench in street clothes.

If Dame gets traded to the Nets, at least get guys who can be counted on to play 75-80
games a season. Those FRP don't look like good picks but I seem to remember when the
Lakers made the AD trade, they sent out a bunch of picks, which we now know were
mid lottery picks . Nobody knows where those picks in the 2025, 2027 and 2029 will
end up falling and they are all unprotected.

Maybe you’re not old enough to remember the Blazers trading for Raef LaFrenfz. Yeah, so what if he’s making +30 a year to sit on the bench? After one year, he’s expiring and can be a trade chip, or you just let the money fall off the books. If the Blazers are rebuilding, who cares what he takes up on the salary cap for those years he has left? The Blazers won’t be good enough for any FAs to come (hell, they don’t come when the Blazers are good), and all their best talent will be on rookie deals well after he’s not on the books anymore.

I remember the LaFrenz trade. Portland in the end did nothing with the expiring contract.

My point is getting live bodies who will play 75-80 games like Dinwiddie are better than guys like Simmons. May
as well trade for guys like Kawhi Leonard, who gets paid $40+ Million and misses half of his season when he does
play. I'd avoid those chronically injured guys

[DusterBuster]

He's still got $77 million left on his deal and if traded to Portland, would just be another
guy sitting behind the Blazers bench in street clothes.

If Dame gets traded to the Nets, at least get guys who can be counted on to play 75-80
games a season. Those FRP don't look like good picks but I seem to remember when the
Lakers made the AD trade, they sent out a bunch of picks, which we now know were
mid lottery picks . Nobody knows where those picks in the 2025, 2027 and 2029 will
end up falling and they are all unprotected.

Maybe you’re not old enough to remember the Blazers trading for Raef LaFrenfz. Yeah, so what if he’s making +30 a year to sit on the bench? After one year, he’s expiring and can be a trade chip, or you just let the money fall off the books. If the Blazers are rebuilding, who cares what he takes up on the salary cap for those years he has left? The Blazers won’t be good enough for any FAs to come (hell, they don’t come when the Blazers are good), and all their best talent will be on rookie deals well after he’s not on the books anymore.

I remember the LaFrenz trade. Portland in the end did nothing with the expiring contract.

My point is getting live bodies who will play 75-80 games like Dinwiddie are better than guys like Simmons. May
as well trade for guys like Kawhi Leonard, who gets paid $40+ Million and misses half of his season when he does
play. I'd avoid those chronically injured guys

I don't disagree with you on that. Just saying that it's not and shouldn't be a deal breaker to take on a single large contract that's only got a couple of years left on it just because that contract is attached to a diminished or injury-prone player, especially when you're going young and playing largely rookie scale players.

[GEE]

We have a ton draft capital, but I doubt you guys want any other pieces. Claxton and Bridges are off limits and Cam Johnson is an RFA.

I don't see it happening between BKN/POR unless a 3rd team gets involved. If I were you guys i wouldn't accept anything the Nets have in terms of players. Cam Thomas is overrated and no one wants Ben's contract.

YES, Simmons' contract is big and he has clearly fallen out of favor in BKN, just like he did in Philly, and that is why the Blazers would demand compensation(2 Picks) to take him. On top of that is the gift of Dame which would also require a pick package(3picks+3swaps) because Cam isn't any upgrade from what we already have. BRK can keep him. Claxton on the other hand I want to kick the tires on, and would require him in the deal along with Dinwiddie, who I also like. Nurkic I view as slightly(-1 pick) negative value overall, just because he didn't live up to his contract this year, but for BKN he has good value as a physical match to Embid.

Nurkic / Dame <<<---->>> Simmons / Claxton / Dinwiddie / 4 FRPs & 3 Swaps (This I think would be fair)

[GEE]

Like I'd said before... Brooklyn is my favorite, and I think the most likely for one special reason: Dame will remain the Alpha-Dog if he goes to Brooklyn, whereas he'll be second-fiddle likely anywhere else. Several other possible destinations; Teams that are in the playoff hunt, but come up a bit short this year may may inquire about Dame. Here's a few other playoff teams that Dame might consider(All trades Dame & Nurkic):

HEAT: Bam / Lowry / Picks (Studied BAM hard over his last few games making this trade my least favorite)
SUNS: Ayton / Paul / Picks (Assuming they don't win)
76ERS: Harris / Maxey / Picks
CELTICS: Brown / Williams / Pritchard / Filler
LAKERS: AD / Filler
OTHERS: ???

And to the Jalen Smith fan... I too like that Terp and would have him on my Target List with Mark Williams obviously at the top. A big BIGMAN addition acquired with draft capital after trading Dame is what I'm hoping for, giving us this for next year:

Simons / Dinwiddie / Keon or Mays
Sharpe / Thybulle
Grant / Little / Knox
Simmons / Winslow / Watford / Walker
Eubanks / Claxton / Smith (Let the 3 for compete for the minutes / 2 of the 3 may get 24mpg)

NOW think about that load of draft picks, to modify and upgrade what we'd already have above. All of this assuming of course, we don't luck out and get the #1. If we do on May 16th, It's back to the drawing board.

[Norm2953]

Maybe you’re not old enough to remember the Blazers trading for Raef LaFrenfz. Yeah, so what if he’s making +30 a year to sit on the bench? After one year, he’s expiring and can be a trade chip, or you just let the money fall off the books. If the Blazers are rebuilding, who cares what he takes up on the salary cap for those years he has left? The Blazers won’t be good enough for any FAs to come (hell, they don’t come when the Blazers are good), and all their best talent will be on rookie deals well after he’s not on the books anymore.

I remember the LaFrenz trade. Portland in the end did nothing with the expiring contract.

My point is getting live bodies who will play 75-80 games like Dinwiddie are better than guys like Simmons. May
as well trade for guys like Kawhi Leonard, who gets paid $40+ Million and misses half of his season when he does
play. I'd avoid those chronically injured guys

I don't disagree with you on that. Just saying that it's not and shouldn't be a deal breaker to take on a single large contract that's only got a couple of years left on it just because that contract is attached to a diminished or injury-prone player, especially when you're going young and playing largely rookie scale players.

Oftentimes though, guys like Simmons can be a distraction even when they are not on the court.

I simply prefer guys who are on short term deals, who contribute on the court. This is like all those
trade proposals to Orlando involving Isaac for while he might only be partially guaranteed, how can
any team rely on these injured guys to actually suit up for their team.

I actually don't think Portland is in that bad a shape for their young core of Simons, Sharpe and whoever
they pick in the 2023 draft will be young and eager to prove themselves. They do have other young
players but if they can add some veteran glue guys like they had in Winslow and Hart, they could be
a decent team.

Let's say they get Claxton, Dinwiddie, Harris and Royce O'Neal from the Nets for Dame/Nurkic (draft picks
from the KD trade who also come along). Those guys who fill in a lot of holes on Portland's roster and
all of those guys are expiring contracts. Portland has the 23-24 season to see how all those guys fit and
could still decide to pay Grant if he wants to stay.

[DusterBuster]

I remember the LaFrenz trade. Portland in the end did nothing with the expiring contract.

My point is getting live bodies who will play 75-80 games like Dinwiddie are better than guys like Simmons. May
as well trade for guys like Kawhi Leonard, who gets paid $40+ Million and misses half of his season when he does
play. I'd avoid those chronically injured guys

I don't disagree with you on that. Just saying that it's not and shouldn't be a deal breaker to take on a single large contract that's only got a couple of years left on it just because that contract is attached to a diminished or injury-prone player, especially when you're going young and playing largely rookie scale players.

Oftentimes though, guys like Simmons can be a distraction even when they are not on the court.

I simply prefer guys who are on short term deals, who contribute on the court. This is like all those
trade proposals to Orlando involving Isaac for while he might only be partially guaranteed, how can
any team rely on these injured guys to actually suit up for their team.

I actually don't think Portland is in that bad a shape for their young core of Simons, Sharpe and whoever
they pick in the 2023 draft will be young and eager to prove themselves. They do have other young
players but if they can add some veteran glue guys like they had in Winslow and Hart, they could be
a decent team.

Let's say they get Claxton, Dinwiddie, Harris and Royce O'Neal from the Nets for Dame/Nurkic (draft picks
from the KD trade who also come along). Those guys who fill in a lot of holes on Portland's roster and
all of those guys are expiring contracts. Portland has the 23-24 season to see how all those guys fit and
could still decide to pay Grant if he wants to stay.

Again tho… who cares? So he’s a distraction for a few weeks/months, then you send him home until his contract expires or can be traded. Distractions like that only matter if you’re trying to do anything.

[GEE]

I guess I'm alone in thinking, What if... what we now see in Simmons is a result of simply being chewed up and spit out by BIG CITY Philly and NY? Could the pressure of those two media markets alone be enough to crush a kid? Sports superstars and celeberties alike... being human is something we look past sometimes forget

All I'm trying to say is, What if the change in zip codes improves and heals Simmons, and he returns more to his rookie form than his recent self? I think this scenario is quite possible, and if I'm right... it's a great gamble IMO considering our need for a boost to our PF and C positions, along with our focus on defense and running.

I've said before that I hope Chauncey will get my message and meet with the kid this summer... just by chance of course. I truely believe they would have a great connection, just what Simmons needs to go bananas, like he did at LSU. The risk is low... The reward could be HUGE.

[BlazersBroncos]

Simmons even if he returns to Philly production is a tremendously flawed player who has improved on nothing since his one-and-done year at LSU. He is a 33M+ player who has no role on offense - you cant justify the usage needed for him to be a primary distributor because he refuses to shoot and guys just sag off him and you cant play him off ball because he just doesnt know what to do w/o the ball in his hands.

He is a tremendous defender even when only going through the motions, and even better when engaged.

There have been whispers about Ben's competitive drive and dedication since his time w/ the AUS national team. He simply isnt hungry. He would rather play COD than put his heart on the court.

I would take his deal on if the picks are right (And ideally we get Claxton too) - but he is a side dish in and Dame deal, nowhere near the main course.

But the idea of paying Jerami Grant after moving Dame is wild. You tank, tank, tank. A team with a core of Simons, Grant and Ben is going nowhere but fishing once the POs come. A bubble win would be like a ring for that core.

[Village Idiot]

The only way I could conceivably see Ben Simmons in Portland is on a minimum deal if the Nets buy him out. Otherwise maybe Simons and Nurkic for Simmons and Claxton but the latter's impending free-agency makes that way too risky.

Rather resign Winslow to basically do the same things Simmons does (including sitting on the bench constantly due to injury) but at a fraction of the cost.

[DusterBuster]

I guess I'm alone in thinking, What if... what we now see in Simmons is a result of simply being chewed up and spit out by BIG CITY Philly and NY? Could the pressure of those two media markets alone be enough to crush a kid? Sports superstars and celeberties alike... being human is something we look past sometimes forget

All I'm trying to say is, What if the change in zip codes improves and heals Simmons, and he returns more to his rookie form than his recent self? I think this scenario is quite possible, and if I'm right... it's a great gamble IMO considering our need for a boost to our PF and C positions, along with our focus on defense and running.

I've said before that I hope Chauncey will get my message and meet with the kid this summer... just by chance of course. I truely believe they would have a great connection, just what Simmons needs to go bananas, like he did at LSU. The risk is low... The reward could be HUGE.

It's not. He wants to be in those big cities. I suspect he'd pout and barely try in Portland so he can get sent home to LA or NY to sit on his ass and play XBox and go out at night.

[DusterBuster]

The only way I could conceivably see Ben Simmons in Portland is on a minimum deal if the Nets buy him out. Otherwise maybe Simons and Nurkic for Simmons and Claxton but the latter's impending free-agency makes that way too risky.

Rather resign Winslow to basically do the same things Simmons does (including sitting on the bench constantly due to injury) but at a fraction of the cost.

Again, the only pro's to getting Simmons imo are if the Blazers are going young and don't expect to get anything out of him as a player. If they do, that's an unexpected bonus, but otherwise, use him as a trade chip as his contract becomes expiring or just buy him out and have cap space when his deal falls off the books.

[DusterBuster]

Simmons even if he returns to Philly production is a tremendously flawed player who has improved on nothing since his one-and-done year at LSU. He is a 33M+ player who has no role on offense - you cant justify the usage needed for him to be a primary distributor because he refuses to shoot and guys just sag off him and you cant play him off ball because he just doesnt know what to do w/o the ball in his hands.

He is a tremendous defender even when only going through the motions, and even better when engaged.

There have been whispers about Ben's competitive drive and dedication since his time w/ the AUS national team. He simply isnt hungry. He would rather play COD than put his heart on the court.

I would take his deal on if the picks are right (And ideally we get Claxton too) - but he is a side dish in and Dame deal, nowhere near the main course.

But the idea of paying Jerami Grant after moving Dame is wild. You tank, tank, tank. A team with a core of Simons, Grant and Ben is going nowhere but fishing once the POs come. A bubble win would be like a ring for that core.

Yeah, I don't really get why Simmons is such a topic of conversation at all. If the Blazers move Dame, they likely will have to take Simmons' contract as part of the deal, but as you said correctly, he's not the "main course", he's just filler to make the deal work. The main pieces in return for Dame would be the picks and some young guys like Claxton potentially. Simmons', if you get anything from him, cool, if not, oh well. He'll be expiring soon and off the books after that. The Blazers won't be contenders or a FA destination in the time the Blazers have to pay his contract, so who cares. It won't hurt the Blazers at all outside of Jody Allen's pocket book.

[DusterBuster]

Watch on YouTube

;t=685s

Take this for what it is. Some Blazer reddit posters believe this guy usually has good intel?

The tl:dw; Dame is more likely to stay than go. The pick and then some is gone this year if it doesn't land #1. Grant likely resigning. Simons likely gone and understands the situation. Blazers would like to move on from Nurkic at 5. The all-in targets are Embiid, Brown, Bridges, and Siakam. Still interested in OG, but too small of an impact for the "all-in" package they want to make. Draymond Green also someone to keep an eye on with cap space it would seem. Possibly Green would sign with Portland to play with Lillard if they can make that all-in move to bring in someone else. Sharpe will be the starter (if not traded).

[Wizenheimer]

I think Dame for Simmons is a dumb trade for Portland and it keeps getting dumber the more people advocate for it. That it's devolved to Claxton and 3 or 4 first round picks 4-7 years in the future is laughable. And no, the Blazers would not be trading for either of the first's Brooklyn has in this coming draft (Dame can't be traded to mid-July and he is unlikely to ask for a trade until he sees how the off-season is shaping up)

Simmons may have the most negative trade value in the league. The Nets would have to attach at least two first round picks to him just to dump him and they'd almost certainly have to take back large contract(s) as well.

Portland would be idiotic to trade Dame for any negative value asset.

those picks that Brooklyn has aren't worth much either, not in a trade for a top-10ish player

if Dame does demand to be traded, and Brooklyn is the target, then it should be something like:

Dame + Nurkic

for

Cam Johnson (S&T for 20M/year) + Dinwiddie + Claxton + 2025 Phoenix 1st + 2027 Dallas 1st + 2027 Phoenix 1st + 2029 Brooklyn 1st. And Brookly can' add any protections not already attached

AND, what the Blazer should do is immediately flip Johnson and Dinwiddie for more draft assets; AND trade Simons for more draft assets. The best assets Portland can get from a Dame trade are top-5 draft picks for being a bad team. To trade Dame and try and be competitive would be even more idiotic than trading Dame for the massive dead weight of Simmons

[tester551]

Watch on YouTube

;t=685s

Take this for what it is. Some Blazer reddit posters believe this guy usually has good intel?

The tl:dw; Dame is more likely to stay than go. The pick and then some is gone this year if it doesn't land #1. Grant likely resigning. Simons likely gone and understands the situation. Blazers would like to move on from Nurkic at 5. The all-in targets are Embiid, Brown, Bridges, and Siakam. Still interested in OG, but too small of an impact for the "all-in" package they want to make. Draymond Green also someone to keep an eye on with cap space it would seem. Possibly Green would sign with Portland to play with Lillard if they can make that all-in move to bring in someone else. Sharpe will be the starter (if not traded).

Portland will not have any cap space to acquire Green. It would have to be a S&T, which I think would be VERY unlikely.

[The Sebastian Express]

I guess there's like a one in a hundred million shot he could sign for the MLE but I doubt it. If Draymond moves on I see it being a S&T because the Warriors flame out of the playoffs and because of the upcoming changes to the luxury aprons which will put a real hurt on people.

[The Sebastian Express]

While I don't know that guy and have never watched and don't visit blazers reddit, that's been my read on the situation when you combine it with Dame's precedent and the context of the interviews. I genuinely think the plan is to trade anything that's 2+ with Simons for an all in move. Sharpe will stay unless that all in move is Embiid (because even if Milwaukee loses this series we know they aren't trading Giannis) or some OG PLUS Siakam package, imo. I don't think they'd trade Sharpe for Brown unless he agreed to an extension (but I also don't think Brown is worth Simons + lottery pick + Sharpe even extended).

I think Dame wants to stay. I think he does understand we are in the middle of two paths though and that's why he said what he said and management has said what they said. And I think option one and two are always going to be to try to take the path which is Dame staying and trying to make big moves. I do wish he would open up his thought process about maybe upgrading the coaching position, though.

[Wizenheimer]

Watch on YouTube

;t=685s

Take this for what it is. Some Blazer reddit posters believe this guy usually has good intel?

The tl:dw; Dame is more likely to stay than go. The pick and then some is gone this year if it doesn't land #1. Grant likely resigning. Simons likely gone and understands the situation. Blazers would like to move on from Nurkic at 5. The all-in targets are Embiid, Brown, Bridges, and Siakam. Still interested in OG, but too small of an impact for the "all-in" package they want to make. Draymond Green also someone to keep an eye on with cap space it would seem. Possibly Green would sign with Portland to play with Lillard if they can make that all-in move to bring in someone else. Sharpe will be the starter (if not traded).

I've been reluctant to entertain the idea of Portland trading this year's pick, especially if it's top-4, even though I want Dame to stay. Teams just don't get that many opportunities at landing an elite player in the draft

but the more I read and hear about this draft class, the more I'm willing to see the pick traded. The consensus is there's a giant drop-off from Wemby to the next BPA. Scoot henderson is supposed to be a Westbrook/Morant type of player but several scouts think his perimeter shot is broken and beyond repair.

Brandon Miller is supposedly limited athletically; the Thompson twins could be a lot more like Corey Brewer than Reggie Theus; and it gets 'worse' from there. It's nearly certain there will be a couple of gems coming out of this class but being lucky enough to land on them is a real long shot

if the Blazers could use the pick (and more) to land a Bridges or Brown or Siakam that might be the best they could hope for. I don't think Embiid is reachable though, and those other 3 guys seem like a real stretch. Siakam is about the lowest level player I'd want Portland to go all in for though

I'm assuming that the Blazers will be sending the Knicks pick to the Bulls to open up all their future first's

[DusterBuster]

Watch on YouTube

;t=685s

Take this for what it is. Some Blazer reddit posters believe this guy usually has good intel?

The tl:dw; Dame is more likely to stay than go. The pick and then some is gone this year if it doesn't land #1. Grant likely resigning. Simons likely gone and understands the situation. Blazers would like to move on from Nurkic at 5. The all-in targets are Embiid, Brown, Bridges, and Siakam. Still interested in OG, but too small of an impact for the "all-in" package they want to make. Draymond Green also someone to keep an eye on with cap space it would seem. Possibly Green would sign with Portland to play with Lillard if they can make that all-in move to bring in someone else. Sharpe will be the starter (if not traded).

Portland will not have any cap space to acquire Green. It would have to be a S&T, which I think would be VERY unlikely.

I’m not as up as I’d like to be on cap stuff, but Portland has like 14mil in cap space iirc. There’s some wiggle room I believe with Grant. I also wonder who’s giving Green more than the MLE? He’s got a reputation, but his actual skill is not there for big money. He and Dame are super close and if things in GS are rough, him taking a small discount isn’t out of the realm of possibility. Or S&T for Nurk? Laugh it off, but not a bad deal for GS if Green tried to tell them this or nothing…

Again, all that WILDLY unlikely, but not totally impossible.