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

[GEE]

Just an observation: It seems to me that we could send Dame to any NBA team we want to, as long as we also put a good PR spin on it, and Cronin seems to be getting good at it. Haven't seen Dame say anything since Cronin's statement, but I hope he does overstep and demand just Miami.

Kidding aside, I think it will likely be shown weeks from now that Dame definitely could have handled this situation much better than he did. Regardless, I don't think Dame has any cards to play at this point, and should be hoping we don't send his a$$ to Minnesota, instead of trying to still control things by insisting it be Miami.

In the end, I think we stay classy and send him to a "preferred destination" of his choosing, but it ain't gonna be San Antonio... pretty sure that's DOA, and I have no reason to believe that POP would ever even consider such a thing. Brooklyn is a strong possibility still I think, as a courtesy to Dame, but I'm not certain they really want him either.

What I believe is slowing things down is the whole Harden mess. Morey in Philly is likely trying to be involved in an attempt to snatch Dame w/ Harden going to LAC(his preferred team), with maybe even a 4th team in this scenario to get more assets going back to PDX, but here I have to ask the question, Do the Clippers even want Harden having just resigned Westbrook hours ago. I think there are several more even weaker offers that Cronin will listen to, but I don't think he will leave the market open very long, as many GMs have been anticipating this very day for some time now. Cronin is at the... Give me you best offer stage.

Here's what I suspect might happen: Miami will end up getting Dame and Brooklyn will help, sorta. I think Cronin and the Nets will work a deal to allow BRK and the Blazers to pick off as many of Miami's young assets they have amassed (and they have several BRK might really like) as we want. Miami has been loading up on young undrafted assets for days now, and they just converted a rookie 7 footer to a standard contract today that I'd certainly be interested in, Orlando Robinson.

Ultimately Hoping Cronin gets a huge grab bag of really good FRPs with Simmons, Robinson, Sharpe, Clowney and Claxton. Or something similar.

[The Sebastian Express]

I would point out that Cronin definitely did CJ a favor by trading him to New Orleans because he gave CJ a list of teams for potential destinations and let CJ pick which one. Which was a kindness and good relations which everyone seems to be forgetting.

I'm not going to say Dame is demanding only Miami. We haven't heard that from Haynes, which is where we would hear it, or Woj as secondary, though I trust Haynes much more on this one because he is Dame's guy.

But I will say Dame should have some understanding that the combination of his actions plus coincidences leading up to this moment, which I don't begrudge, plus leaking the trade request to Haynes to go public - which we all expected would happen and I don't personally mind except with combination of other stuff involved -, plus the heavy emphasis on prefers Miami.. he is hurting Portland's chance here too.

And yeah, he wants the team he is going to play for now to have assets and pieces. No question. But what a lot of people fail to remember it isn't just the franchise he is leaving behind, it's the fans. We would like something hopeful. We would like fair value. I hope he has given the team a LIST of teams he would feel comfortable playing with and then Portland can choose the best package from among those.

It's on the onus of those teams to make and find ways to create the best offers, not Portland. I do think Portland will do him a solid in the end, but I also think Dame (and the team leading up to this moment) could've handled this better.

[monopoman]

I am glad we haven't seen reports of a trade yet, this means that they aren't just taking the first offer Miami or any team throws them. I was dreading waking up today and already seeing a trade happened early this morning, because that is the easy road for Cronin.

[Pattycakes]

I am glad we haven't seen reports of a trade yet, this means that they aren't just taking the first offer Miami or any team throws them. I was dreading waking up today and already seeing a trade happened early this morning, because that is the easy road for Cronin.

People really need to chill with their Cronin hate. Lol he’s doing literally exactly what the franchise needs and have been complaining nonstop for the last 5 years and people are still unhappy.

[monopoman]

I am glad we haven't seen reports of a trade yet, this means that they aren't just taking the first offer Miami or any team throws them. I was dreading waking up today and already seeing a trade happened early this morning, because that is the easy road for Cronin.

People really need to chill with their Cronin hate. Lol he’s doing literally exactly what the franchise needs and have been complaining nonstop for the last 5 years and people are still unhappy.

He has had some rough trades in his time, and basically you could claim he is Olshey 2.0. The notion that Cronin is doing a damn good job is ridiculous. He might be a far nicer guy than Olshey but he seems to be very similar in how they deal with trades/free agents/drafting.

The only reason the Blazers have been going in the right direction is because of the draft, other than that we have been going the opposite direction.

[Norm2953]

I would point out that Cronin definitely did CJ a favor by trading him to New Orleans because he gave CJ a list of teams for potential destinations and let CJ pick which one. Which was a kindness and good relations which everyone seems to be forgetting.

I'm not going to say Dame is demanding only Miami. We haven't heard that from Haynes, which is where we would hear it, or Woj as secondary, though I trust Haynes much more on this one because he is Dame's guy.

But I will say Dame should have some understanding that the combination of his actions plus coincidences leading up to this moment, which I don't begrudge, plus leaking the trade request to Haynes to go public - which we all expected would happen and I don't personally mind except with combination of other stuff involved -, plus the heavy emphasis on prefers Miami.. he is hurting Portland's chance here too.

And yeah, he wants the team he is going to play for now to have assets and pieces. No question. But what a lot of people fail to remember it isn't just the franchise he is leaving behind, it's the fans. We would like something hopeful. We would like fair value. I hope he has given the team a LIST of teams he would feel comfortable playing with and then Portland can choose the best package from among those.

It's on the onus of those teams to make and find ways to create the best offers, not Portland. I do think Portland will do him a solid in the end, but I also think Dame (and the team leading up to this moment) could've handled this better.

Totally agree. Clyde and CJ handled this with grace and Dame could really help matters if his mouthpieces kept
quiet.

[monopoman]

I would point out that Cronin definitely did CJ a favor by trading him to New Orleans because he gave CJ a list of teams for potential destinations and let CJ pick which one. Which was a kindness and good relations which everyone seems to be forgetting.

I'm not going to say Dame is demanding only Miami. We haven't heard that from Haynes, which is where we would hear it, or Woj as secondary, though I trust Haynes much more on this one because he is Dame's guy.

But I will say Dame should have some understanding that the combination of his actions plus coincidences leading up to this moment, which I don't begrudge, plus leaking the trade request to Haynes to go public - which we all expected would happen and I don't personally mind except with combination of other stuff involved -, plus the heavy emphasis on prefers Miami.. he is hurting Portland's chance here too.

And yeah, he wants the team he is going to play for now to have assets and pieces. No question. But what a lot of people fail to remember it isn't just the franchise he is leaving behind, it's the fans. We would like something hopeful. We would like fair value. I hope he has given the team a LIST of teams he would feel comfortable playing with and then Portland can choose the best package from among those.

It's on the onus of those teams to make and find ways to create the best offers, not Portland. I do think Portland will do him a solid in the end, but I also think Dame (and the team leading up to this moment) could've handled this better.

Totally agree. Clyde and CJ handled this with grace and Dame could really help matters if his mouthpieces kept
quiet.

Part of it is the difference in the world we live in now with Twitter, Reddit, live streaming the stars have more tools to get their message out there then ever before. This can be a good thing and a bad thing like most things in the world.

Back in the days of Clyde you had what, Radio, TV, Newspaper and all of those require the cooperation of those that own those things. I also don't really recall CJ requesting a trade, he just was traded completely different scenario. Now maybe CJ made this intention known behind closed doors but we have no indication this happened. It's also less news worthy when a player of CJ's caliber wants a trade then a player like Dame.

[JKiddy]

PHI is trying to get Dame. They have to decide if Maxey is worth it for Dame. BK would need Maxey in order for POR to get the pick haul they want. PHI needs to make a move to keep Embiid happy. Miami might lose out on Dame if they don't convince BK to take Herro and help them get Dame (they need a pick or two (or pick and swap rights) from BK).

Things are getting interesting....

[DeBlazerRiddem]

And yeah, he wants the team he is going to play for now to have assets and pieces. No question. But what a lot of people fail to remember it isn't just the franchise he is leaving behind, it's the fans. We would like something hopeful. We would like fair value. I hope he has given the team a LIST of teams he would feel comfortable playing with and then Portland can choose the best package from among those.

That is why I think his decision has more to do with an opportunity he see's in Miami than a desire to get away from the Blazers at all costs. The impetus for this is a desire to go somewhere specific, not necessarily to leave somewhere.

I think maybe Brooklyn is a distant second as a consolation prize, but if Miami wasn't in the position they are in then I don't think Lillard would be demanding a trade to Brooklyn or wherever.

[Myth]

I am glad we haven't seen reports of a trade yet, this means that they aren't just taking the first offer Miami or any team throws them. I was dreading waking up today and already seeing a trade happened early this morning, because that is the easy road for Cronin.

I’m not sure if you heard this since the original reports, but Dame can’t be traded until the 9th. Yes, they could make an agreement, but at this point it makes sense to let teams keep outbidding each over until we think they are done doing so and we can actually trade him.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Demand a trade before the ink is even dry enough for a trade to be legal... That has to be a new one right? Has any star demanded a trade before they were even eligible to be traded?

[monopoman]

I am glad we haven't seen reports of a trade yet, this means that they aren't just taking the first offer Miami or any team throws them. I was dreading waking up today and already seeing a trade happened early this morning, because that is the easy road for Cronin.

I’m not sure if you heard this since the original reports, but Dame can’t be traded until the 9th. Yes, they could make an agreement, but at this point it makes sense to let teams keep outbidding each over until we think they are done doing so and we can actually trade him.

Even in that case I assume you could announce a trade then just finalize it on July 9th. Yes the trade would not be official until July 9th but it's not like Lillard is not eligible to be traded until July 9th 2024.

[Myth]

I am glad we haven't seen reports of a trade yet, this means that they aren't just taking the first offer Miami or any team throws them. I was dreading waking up today and already seeing a trade happened early this morning, because that is the easy road for Cronin.

I’m not sure if you heard this since the original reports, but Dame can’t be traded until the 9th. Yes, they could make an agreement, but at this point it makes sense to let teams keep outbidding each over until we think they are done doing so and we can actually trade him.

Even in that case I assume you could announce a trade then just finalize it on July 9th. Yes the trade would not be official until July 9th but it's not like Lillard is not eligible to be traded until July 9th 2024.

Hence my second sentence.

[Blazinaway]

I am glad we haven't seen reports of a trade yet, this means that they aren't just taking the first offer Miami or any team throws them. I was dreading waking up today and already seeing a trade happened early this morning, because that is the easy road for Cronin.

People really need to chill with their Cronin hate. Lol he’s doing literally exactly what the franchise needs and have been complaining nonstop for the last 5 years and people are still unhappy.

The way Cronin is handling this so far is a heckuva lot more classy/professional then Dame and his "team", someone's stock is going up and someone's taking a big hit

[Blazinaway]

Demand a trade before the ink is even dry enough for a trade to be legal... That has to be a new one right? Has any star demanded a trade before they were even eligible to be traded?

LOL good point! Perhaps the only area Dame remains a real "trail blazer"

[Norm2953]

I am glad we haven't seen reports of a trade yet, this means that they aren't just taking the first offer Miami or any team throws them. I was dreading waking up today and already seeing a trade happened early this morning, because that is the easy road for Cronin.

People really need to chill with their Cronin hate. Lol he’s doing literally exactly what the franchise needs and have been complaining nonstop for the last 5 years and people are still unhappy.

The way Cronin is handling this so far is a heckuva lot more classy/professional then Dame and his "team", someone's stock is going up and someone's taking a big hit

This does smell a lot like Lebron forcing his way to LA, for he's going to where he personally wants to
live as opposed to for basketball reasons. Interesting if he's felt this way for some time, why he didn't
insert a termination clause into his last extension. Like so many of these guys, he wanted to get paid
and used Portland to get him his $60 Million, after which he asks out. A termination clause might have
gotten him out of town earlier but there is no way Pat Riley would have given him his last extension.

It's a lot of pressure on a young GM like Cronin, who has to deal with the crap hand that NO left him. He's
not entirely blameless and hopefully will learn from after this is all over.

[tacosman]

Just an observation: It seems to me that we could send Dame to any NBA team we want to, as long as we also put a good PR spin on it, and Cronin seems to be getting good at it. Haven't seen Dame say anything since Cronin's statement, but I hope he does overstep and demand just Miami.

Kidding aside, I think it will likely be shown weeks from now that Dame definitely could have handled this situation much better than he did. Regardless, I don't think Dame has any cards to play at this point, and should be hoping we don't send his a$$ to Minnesota, instead of trying to still control things by insisting it be Miami.

In the end, I think we stay classy and send him to a "preferred destination" of his choosing, but it ain't gonna be San Antonio... pretty sure that's DOA, and I have no reason to believe that POP would ever even consider such a thing. Brooklyn is a strong possibility still I think, as a courtesy to Dame, but I'm not certain they really want him either.

What I believe is slowing things down is the whole Harden mess. Morey in Philly is likely trying to be involved in an attempt to snatch Dame w/ Harden going to LAC(his preferred team), with maybe even a 4th team in this scenario to get more assets going back to PDX, but here I have to ask the question, Do the Clippers even want Harden having just resigned Westbrook hours ago. I think there are several more even weaker offers that Cronin will listen to, but I don't think he will leave the market open very long, as many GMs have been anticipating this very day for some time now. Cronin is at the... Give me you best offer stage.

Here's what I suspect might happen: Miami will end up getting Dame and Brooklyn will help, sorta. I think Cronin and the Nets will work a deal to allow BRK and the Blazers to pick off as many of Miami's young assets they have amassed (and they have several BRK might really like) as we want. Miami has been loading up on young undrafted assets for days now, and they just converted a rookie 7 footer to a standard contract today that I'd certainly be interested in, Orlando Robinson.

Ultimately Hoping Cronin gets a huge grab bag of really good FRPs with Simmons, Robinson, Sharpe, Clowney and Claxton. Or something similar.

Claxton, whatever you think of him, isn't going to be in any Dame trade with Brooklyn as the third team. Just because Miami doesn't have a single tradeable asset that is as good as claxton, so how could claxton be going out if nothing miami has can be re-routed to Brooklyn to get claxton

[tacosman]

I would point out that Cronin definitely did CJ a favor by trading him to New Orleans because he gave CJ a list of teams for potential destinations and let CJ pick which one. Which was a kindness and good relations which everyone seems to be forgetting.

I'm not going to say Dame is demanding only Miami. We haven't heard that from Haynes, which is where we would hear it, or Woj as secondary, though I trust Haynes much more on this one because he is Dame's guy.

But I will say Dame should have some understanding that the combination of his actions plus coincidences leading up to this moment, which I don't begrudge, plus leaking the trade request to Haynes to go public - which we all expected would happen and I don't personally mind except with combination of other stuff involved -, plus the heavy emphasis on prefers Miami.. he is hurting Portland's chance here too.

And yeah, he wants the team he is going to play for now to have assets and pieces. No question. But what a lot of people fail to remember it isn't just the franchise he is leaving behind, it's the fans. We would like something hopeful. We would like fair value. I hope he has given the team a LIST of teams he would feel comfortable playing with and then Portland can choose the best package from among those.

It's on the onus of those teams to make and find ways to create the best offers, not Portland. I do think Portland will do him a solid in the end, but I also think Dame (and the team leading up to this moment) could've handled this better.

the only way Portland could hurt/punish Dame is to simply not trade him. Not before the season, not during the season, and not even at the deadline.....

Because the only two options are trading him to miami and simply not doing anything/keeping him. Trading him to another team is not an option because no team is going to assume that sort of money obligation over 4 years to a guy saying he only wants Miami.

If this becomes a game of chicken and I'm cronin though, why not force Riley to swerve first? It's not his money that is going to Dame, and I think we all wish someone would step up and do something to stop this bs,

But I keep hearing people say cronin can just "trade him to minnesota/milwaukee/charlotte/philly/etc".........he can't. Unless he found a way to forge signing the deal for those teams.

[tacosman]

People really need to chill with their Cronin hate. Lol he’s doing literally exactly what the franchise needs and have been complaining nonstop for the last 5 years and people are still unhappy.

The way Cronin is handling this so far is a heckuva lot more classy/professional then Dame and his "team", someone's stock is going up and someone's taking a big hit

This does smell a lot like Lebron forcing his way to LA, for he's going to where he personally wants to
live as opposed to for basketball reasons. Interesting if he's felt this way for some time, why he didn't
insert a termination clause into his last extension. Like so many of these guys, he wanted to get paid
and used Portland to get him his $60 Million, after which he asks out. A termination clause might have
gotten him out of town earlier but there is no way Pat Riley would have given him his last extension.

It's a lot of pressure on a young GM like Cronin, who has to deal with the crap hand that NO left him. He's
not entirely blameless and hopefully will learn from after this is all over.

No, each time Lebron has changed teams he has been a free agent. He has *never* forced himself somewhere. Yes I think technically one or two were a S/T, but they would have happened anyways and he didn't 'force' his way there.

One thing you have to give lebron- he has never demanded a trade before his contract has been up anywhere.

[The Sebastian Express]

I would point out that Cronin definitely did CJ a favor by trading him to New Orleans because he gave CJ a list of teams for potential destinations and let CJ pick which one. Which was a kindness and good relations which everyone seems to be forgetting.

I'm not going to say Dame is demanding only Miami. We haven't heard that from Haynes, which is where we would hear it, or Woj as secondary, though I trust Haynes much more on this one because he is Dame's guy.

But I will say Dame should have some understanding that the combination of his actions plus coincidences leading up to this moment, which I don't begrudge, plus leaking the trade request to Haynes to go public - which we all expected would happen and I don't personally mind except with combination of other stuff involved -, plus the heavy emphasis on prefers Miami.. he is hurting Portland's chance here too.

And yeah, he wants the team he is going to play for now to have assets and pieces. No question. But what a lot of people fail to remember it isn't just the franchise he is leaving behind, it's the fans. We would like something hopeful. We would like fair value. I hope he has given the team a LIST of teams he would feel comfortable playing with and then Portland can choose the best package from among those.

It's on the onus of those teams to make and find ways to create the best offers, not Portland. I do think Portland will do him a solid in the end, but I also think Dame (and the team leading up to this moment) could've handled this better.

the only way Portland could hurt/punish Dame is to simply not trade him. Not before the season, not during the season, and not even at the deadline.....

Because the only two options are trading him to miami and simply not doing anything/keeping him. Trading him to another team is not an option because no team is going to assume that sort of money obligation over 4 years to a guy saying he only wants Miami.

If this becomes a game of chicken and I'm cronin though, why not force Riley to swerve first? It's not his money that is going to Dame, and I think we all wish someone would step up and do something to stop this bs,

But I keep hearing people say cronin can just "trade him to minnesota/milwaukee/charlotte/philly/etc".........he can't. Unless he found a way to forge signing the deal for those teams.

I really appreciate you coming to our board to repeat your point of view over and over and over and over and over and possibly over oh and there is another over there again.

To a point that didn't even mention a single thing about trading him to 'punish him'.

Really grateful for it, my friend. Positive that time couldn't have been better spent to understand the whole context of posts you are responding to over the last two day.