Dame is coming back to Portland!!!

[Capn'O]

Ok... processing... but I see this. Blazers basically paid for an asset here. Dame gets to rehab here, and then get to use him for another trade asset? I'm sure this is a deal to move him to a contender when he's healthy... which if he's good he's worth a 1st round pick.

I think it's more likely they move Holiday if they can find a taker. Dame rides off into the sunset with PDX. Holiday supposedly doesn't want to be here and Dame does.

But I'm of the mind that he never _really_ wanted to leave.

I'm gonna disagree. The Blazers (when Cronin was assistant GM) has ALWAYS wanted to add Jrue with Dame. After the season where the Pelicans ran the Blazers out of the playoffs (with AD and Cousins), there was real talk that summer the Blazers were looking to trade for Jrue (he then went to the Bucks, around the same time as AD's trade demand). I think they like the idea of keeping both.

That said... Dame truly never wanted to leave Portland. Haynes has been clear it's been hard for Dame to be away from his family. Dame's personal life is superseding a ring clearly and I think he's got an end to his career.

I suspect there's an "agreement" with Cronin that he can rehab here, if he feels he's got something left in the tank, they'll move him for next to nothing to a clear title contender. If he feels there's nothing left in the tank, he can finish up his career here and move into a coaching or FO job and stay home.

Just a **** insane turn of events. I had mentally checked out of the offseason. I was not prepared for this.

Well, it probably all depends on whether we get Scoot Henderson or Scott Henderson this coming season. If he can't break out with Lillard and Jrue around him... he can't break out.

That said, I think it's gonna be a fun season for the Blazers, Duster. I really do. The Blazers have the pieces to be a tough out every night. I attended the Knicks/Blazers game last year, as I do every year, and they looked real for the first time in a few years.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Do I understand this at all from a basketball or cap management POV? No.
Do I love it anyway? Yes!

This 100%. WTF is going on? Frankly, it doesn't matter because I love this.

[DusterBuster]

So a NTC and player option...can't really say I understand it from a team building standpoint. Just when it seems like your team is establishing an identity and direction you go and muck it up?

Are Scoot and Sharpe massive mistakes or aren't they? Granted, the Lillard money is hardly anything moving forward...but the roster is so confused now in 2027. Grant, Jrue, Lillard...all veterans that will 100% start. Meanwhile, you've spent the past 3 years developing young players at their position, or traded away assets in order to fill their position (Deni).

Joe Cronin does a MIGHTY job of squeezing out players. Grant is going to start over one of Deni who was Portland's best player last year, or Camara who was All defense and spearheaded the identity of the team. I can't imagine Scoot is happy. So is this Cronin finally admitting that Scoot was a mistake of a pick?

Yeah, I just completely don't get it.

I'm behind the story, so shoot any sources for this.

If this is the case, I get it. I think it makes sense in the the NTC is more ceremonial than a serious issue (especially with the size of the contract). The team and new owners can buy it out if they want... this is not a Beal or LeBron NTC... and the team already has worked with him to trade him to a contender, so he already knows any trade will be done in conjunction with the FO, and the team is fine allowing him to just ride out his NBA career here...

This is a weird move, but it's also a move that I've been saying with the Blazers "cap space" or "flexibility", that being... who the **** cares what you do with it during this time period of the Blazers evolution. How the books are set up, the next 2-3 years don't matter. Dame is either is a trade asset - he wont return much, but maybe something - or you just waive him and his 15ish mil per year wasn't gonna get used anyway... so w-t-f-e.

[DusterBuster]

Do I understand this at all from a basketball or cap management POV? No.
Do I love it anyway? Yes!

This 100%. WTF is going on? Frankly, it doesn't matter because I love this.

Can I just 100000% this.

Who the **** cares, I've given up with this making sense, but Yang is fun, Dame resigning is fun, lets just have fun.

It's better having Dame around, and I'm OK with with that.

[PDXKnight]

As a fan of Dame im excited but I dont think its a smart move tbh

[PDXKnight]

As a fan of Dame im excited but I dont think its a smart move tbh

[DaVoiceMaster]

Blazers trade for Giannis, Lillard is ready to go next summer, and LeBron signs for the vet minimum.

[DusterBuster]

Think of this from a cynical, team sale, standpoint...

Cronin has just injected enough energy into the Blazers as much as possible without trading a half decade of first round picks. They drafted the best Chinese prospect since Yi Jianlian and Yao Ming who's proven enough to pull some serious buzz, then follow that up with bringing Dame home and they can tout they trade Dame, got all this back, AND got him back within 2 years.

This is legit a "the NBA might make a new rule" situation considering the Blazers traded Dame to get the deal they got out of it, traded for Deni, got rid of the piece they just needed to make salaries matched (Ayton) and then got the player they traded back. Like, that's kind of unheard of.

I still have my questions and critiques of Cronin, but this probably is the most surprising offseason I've ever seen as a Blazer fan.

[Dame Lizard]

Do I understand this at all from a basketball or cap management POV? No.
Do I love it anyway? Yes!

This 100%. WTF is going on? Frankly, it doesn't matter because I love this.

Completely agree!

[Shem]

Read on Twitter

Here is what Dame posted on Twitter/X.

[valleyman33]

Watch on YouTube

Well, thanks for all the draft picks and assets you net us Dame before making your return!

Let's not forget that they also cut his salary to what? about 25% what he was before?

If he wants back so badly take a couple mil per, I do NOT like this move

It would be nice to know what your reasons are for not liking this move. Besides the great PR of taking back arguably the best Blazer player ever, I think he would be another great mentor for our young players.

[Case2012]

In the last week.. I bought the computer hardware I need to finally start my dream business, bought my first brand new car yesterday (Kia 2026 EV6 GT), and then THIS. Life is feeling pretty good lately.

Haters can kick rocks, we're so back.

[Norm2953]

Im happy for Case....

Don't know if it makes any sense but might be okay if Portland sends Jrue out

[oldfishermen]

Simons is swapped out for a 2X NBA all-star plus 2X NBA champion, and a 9X NBA all-star. And some fans do not like this?

[BlazersBroncos]

Im happy for Case....

Don't know if it makes any sense but might be okay if Portland sends Jrue out

I see it as a clear marketing move - we are becoming relevant at a national level again even if it is for more superfluous reasons than we may like (Dame returning, Yang bringing Chinese viewers). Ya, he cost 42M but that will be made up easily with the revenue he will generate being back in Portland.

Its also a reasonable hedge. Dame isnt going to ever be Dame again - but 14M for a shooter off the bench that can also run an offense isnt crazy. Then there is the outside chance that he DOES return to 75-80% of his former self - and your looking at a MLE paid guy that is filling the scoring needs this team has.

I dont know how you work out Scoot, Dame and Holiday in 1-1.5 years. But right now this has easily been the most exciting offseason in years. Maybe decades. I am excited as hell for this season. We wont win a ring, probably never will, but it will at least be FUN with a number of interesting side plots.

I was against signing Dame but am willing to eat crow. And really the intrigue it brings is worth it. Its a hell of a weird summer, and I love weird ****.

[DusterBuster]

Not to get dark, but if there’s any risk of keeping the team here and they need community energy here for the next few years during sale process… can’t set up the franchise better as they have.

Now, you can say the same with the Sonics. They were set up with KD and Russ, but it was still very young and just potential. The team is set up with now public/community energy (even my 80yo mom is texting me about it) and you have international energy with Yang…

If you ignore a ring, but focus on “this is a badass NBA city you don’t leave”, I can’t honestly think of a better summer when using it from that lense.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Read on Twitter

Here is what Dame posted on Twitter/X.

Beautiful. If I were an emotional person, now would be the perfect time to shed a tear. Instead, I'm an old grumpy guy so I'll just do what I normally do (fart, sniff).

[DusterBuster]

As a fan of Dame im excited but I dont think its a smart move tbh

**** same bro. I love the move, I think a basketball move, it's totally stupid.

[DusterBuster]

Read on Twitter

Here is what Dame posted on Twitter/X.

Beautiful. If I were an emotional person, now would be the perfect time to shed a tear. Instead, I'm an old grumpy guy so I'll just do what I normally do (fart, sniff).

#GrumpCrew$Lyfe

[Renegade]

So Lillard returns to Portland with a no-trade clause to finish his career here. Then the Blazers are sold and new management moves the team to Las Vegas. ???