Lowe/Oram then Shams: Dame back to Portland 3/$42m

[gswhoops]

Portland looks more and more like a serious team.

I disagree. They look like a directionless, rudderless ship. I get the nostalgia involved in bringing back Dame, but the contract is horrible and the move makes no sense from a basketball perspective. It feels like they did this to get the fanbase off their backs rather than having any sort of vision in mind for the team.

I really love Avdija, Camara, Clingan, Yang. Scoot improved. Sharpe still has a high ceiling and did not bust. Jrue is still a defensive stalwart.

I think their front office is sneaky smart. Blazers fans should feel lucky. And Portland is a cool city with great weed!

They're a tough eval IMO. They've done good work to collect a lot of nice pieces and they're going to be a pain in the a** to play with all the tough defenders they have on the roster. But it still feels like they're missing that core piece to truly build around unless Scoot (or less likely, Sharpe) takes a huge leap.

[jayjaysee]

Yeah, I don’t think resigning the best player in franchise history to an MLE deal, who won’t play this season, has much impact on the direction of the team.

They have some nice assets and filler contracts to add a first option if one becomes available.. their defense will be great and there’s still some hope Scoot or Sharpe hit their ceilings..

I like the signing either way. And again a 2+1 buys early bird rights to give him 25-26 mil for age 37 so if he does bounce back from injury you can give him a nice enough last contract..

[DiegoChara]

I disagree. They look like a directionless, rudderless ship. I get the nostalgia involved in bringing back Dame, but the contract is horrible and the move makes no sense from a basketball perspective. It feels like they did this to get the fanbase off their backs rather than having any sort of vision in mind for the team.

I really love Avdija, Camara, Clingan, Yang. Scoot improved. Sharpe still has a high ceiling and did not bust. Jrue is still a defensive stalwart.

I think their front office is sneaky smart. Blazers fans should feel lucky. And Portland is a cool city with great weed!

They're a tough eval IMO. They've done good work to collect a lot of nice pieces and they're going to be a pain in the a** to play with all the tough defenders they have on the roster. But it still feels like they're missing that core piece to truly build around unless Scoot (or less likely, Sharpe) takes a huge leap.

agree with this assessment and generally find myself feeling this way not only about the Blazers but about teams lacking a core piece to build around.

But in the context of the Dame signing (which I do think is a clear overpay, and am slightly chuffed that he wouldn’t give a discount if he wanted the reunion) and Blazers team building in general, the question is what do you do if you DON’T necessarily have that core piece? Just keep blowing it up and accumulating assets until you draft the guy?

[toooskies]

I really love Avdija, Camara, Clingan, Yang. Scoot improved. Sharpe still has a high ceiling and did not bust. Jrue is still a defensive stalwart.

I think their front office is sneaky smart. Blazers fans should feel lucky. And Portland is a cool city with great weed!

They're a tough eval IMO. They've done good work to collect a lot of nice pieces and they're going to be a pain in the a** to play with all the tough defenders they have on the roster. But it still feels like they're missing that core piece to truly build around unless Scoot (or less likely, Sharpe) takes a huge leap.

agree with this assessment and generally find myself feeling this way not only about the Blazers but about teams lacking a core piece to build around.

But in the context of the Dame signing (which I do think is a clear overpay, and am slightly chuffed that he wouldn’t give a discount if he wanted the reunion) and Blazers team building in general, the question is what do you do if you DON’T necessarily have that core piece? Just keep blowing it up and accumulating assets until you draft the guy?

It's an overpay this year but has the potential to be a massive underpay next year and the year after. Under 10% of the cap for someone who might return to an all-star level when he comes back would be a bargain.

(Of course, he may also return as an MLE-level player, but is still likely an NBA rotation player for the life of the contract once he comes back.)

[JimmyPlopper]

Scoot Henderson / Jrue Holiday / [Damian Lillard]
Shaedon Sharpe / Rayan Rupert
Deni Avdija / Mattise Thybulle
Toumani Camara / Jerami Grant / Kris Murray
Donovan Clingan / Robert Williams / Hansen Yang / Duop Reath

[gswhoops]

I really love Avdija, Camara, Clingan, Yang. Scoot improved. Sharpe still has a high ceiling and did not bust. Jrue is still a defensive stalwart.

I think their front office is sneaky smart. Blazers fans should feel lucky. And Portland is a cool city with great weed!

They're a tough eval IMO. They've done good work to collect a lot of nice pieces and they're going to be a pain in the a** to play with all the tough defenders they have on the roster. But it still feels like they're missing that core piece to truly build around unless Scoot (or less likely, Sharpe) takes a huge leap.

agree with this assessment and generally find myself feeling this way not only about the Blazers but about teams lacking a core piece to build around.

But in the context of the Dame signing (which I do think is a clear overpay, and am slightly chuffed that he wouldn’t give a discount if he wanted the reunion) and Blazers team building in general, the question is what do you do if you DON’T necessarily have that core piece? Just keep blowing it up and accumulating assets until you draft the guy?

I think the Blazers have done about as well as you can if you don't have that guy. And maybe Dame is that guy when he comes back.

I don't really know what you do if you don't have that core piece TBH, especially if you're not a team that's historically a big FA draw like the Lakers or Heat. I think the answer is probably exactly what the Blazers are doing - keep accumulating good players, be a good, fun to watch team, and keep taking swings on guys in the draft who you might be able to develop into a centerpiece.

[MasterIchiro]

If I were a free agent, I wouldn't hesitate to sign up for Portland, Oregon bud.

[BlazersBroncos]

Scoot Henderson / Jrue Holiday / [Damian Lillard]
Shaedon Sharpe / Rayan Rupert
Deni Avdija / Mattise Thybulle
Toumani Camara / Jerami Grant / Kris Murray
Donovan Clingan / Robert Williams / Hansen Yang / Duop Reath

I think the vets (Holiday, Grant) are likely to start but this would be my hope -

G - Scoot Henderson / Jrue Holiday / Caleb Love
G - Shadeon Sharpe / Jrue Holiday / Matisse Thybulle
F - Toumani Camara / Matisse Thybulle / Rayan Rupert
F - Deni Avdija / Jerami Grant / Kris Murray
C - Donovan Clingan / Robert Williams III / Hansen Yang / Duop Reath

IR - Damian Lillard, Robert Williams III (Inevitable)

Likely the rotation is -

G - Jrue Holiday / Scoot Henderson / Caleb Love
G - Toumani Camara / Shadeon Sharpe / Matisse Thybulle
F - Jerami Grant / Matisse Thybulle / Rayan Rupert
F - Deni Avdija / Jerami Grant / Kris Murray
C - Donovan Clingan / Robert Williams III / Duop Reath / Hansen Yang

IR Damian Lillard, Robert Williams III (Inevitable)

[DiegoChara]

They're a tough eval IMO. They've done good work to collect a lot of nice pieces and they're going to be a pain in the a** to play with all the tough defenders they have on the roster. But it still feels like they're missing that core piece to truly build around unless Scoot (or less likely, Sharpe) takes a huge leap.

agree with this assessment and generally find myself feeling this way not only about the Blazers but about teams lacking a core piece to build around.

But in the context of the Dame signing (which I do think is a clear overpay, and am slightly chuffed that he wouldn’t give a discount if he wanted the reunion) and Blazers team building in general, the question is what do you do if you DON’T necessarily have that core piece? Just keep blowing it up and accumulating assets until you draft the guy?

I think the Blazers have done about as well as you can if you don't have that guy. And maybe Dame is that guy when he comes back.

I don't really know what you do if you don't have that core piece TBH, especially if you're not a team that's historically a big FA draw like the Lakers or Heat. I think the answer is probably exactly what the Blazers are doing - keep accumulating good players, be a good, fun to watch team, and keep taking swings on guys in the draft who you might be able to develop into a centerpiece.

I will add that I also agree that wherever your pick lands, those swings should be BIG swings. If I had to bet my life on a draft pick being a good NBA player 4 years from now, a guy like Carter Bryant is a much safer pick than Yang. But as much as he looks like he’d fit the Blazers new defense first identity, I don’t really see a world where he changes the direction of the franchise.

It’s a very small chance, but there is A chance that Yang could.

[jbk1234]

Unreal, hate this move and why give him 42 ml?

Same. I'm not paying a past-his-prime guy MLE money to rehab his first season, especially because he may never be the same player. I'm not super high on Scoot or Sharpe, but where's their money if one of them breaks out?

[JasonStern]

"A storybook reunion home"

Ummm... what kind of storybook is this. Guy demands a trade and tries to tank his value on the way out by trying to strong arm his way to one team that didn't have the assets. Team told him to go **** off and sent him somewhere else. He and the new team underperformed culminating in him having one of the worst injuries an athlete can have. Then the new team kicks him to the curb and releases him in an unprecedented move to give up on a guy making that much. And then he signs back with the blazers. What the hell kind of storybook is that lol

Blazers fan. Domestic abuse victim that keeps coming back to the home despite everyone around them warning them. That's the answer. Hope nobody takes offense.

In reality, I think that he never wanted to leave, but it was for the best for Portland that it happened. It allowed for them to reset.

I think it's more confirmation of how incompetent our management was during Dame's era that there was nearly zero effort put towards building a potential contender. Three first round picks traded equating to 118 games of Robert Covington (might have to Google him to know who I am talking about) and 37 games of Larry Nance Jr. (definitely have to Google him to know what I am talking about). THREE firsts. For that. Like if you said they traded SIX second round picks, I'd probably be like, okay. Whatever. But these trades were done in an era where three firsts could land you a disgruntled superstar, and Dame wouldn't have to put up 50 for the Blazers to be competitive.

I'm not the biggest Cronin fan, but I feel like he at least shows up to the office. Wears some button-up shirt, except on casual Fridays.

I was a bit against Lillard returning at this time out of worry that he will be the worse defender in the league when he returns from injury and demand big minutes, but I’d be lying if I wasn’t excited about the news.

To be clear - I am ecstatic about the signing. I don't think the Blazers are going to be relevant anytime soon. But oh man! If you thought Dame was bad on defense before, just imagine a 37 year old post-Achilles ruptured Dame going up against someone like Ja Morant.

those who think this isn't a ring chasing move didn't watch Hansen Yang in SL.

Ha 2.0 is just a move made to make a franchise up for sale more attractive given Chinese interest.

I like it. Not that much money for a player like Dame and he is a legend there. Blazers aren't real good and it provides some distraction for the fans. If he comes back in 2026-27 he could go to a contender in a trade, who knows.

100% this! The Blazers weren't really fun to watch the last couple of seasons. Just having him sign jerseys and letting me go "back in my day, that man shot the 3 ball!" is worth the MLE.

Unreal, hate this move and why give him 42 ml?

Does this have any effect on the Bucks dead cap hit?

Salary owed should be offset by what he signed for, but the cap hit remains unaffected. Win for the Bucks ownership but not the GM.

I know a lot of blazers fans won't like this, but Dame isn't going to impact any of your young guards anyway. He's be out all season.

Scoot will have all year to prove he's a starting level pg and then you'll make a decision on the extension. Frankly, he hasn't looked like someone worth building around yet, but he's got another year to prove it one was or another.

Sharpe is already up for his extension and the team doesn't seem to be in a rush to commit to him. He's shown more than scoot, but 31% from 3 from from a scoring wing isn't going to cut it in the modern nba. He's likely get another season to show some progress there and make you want to commit to him as a RFA.

A lot to process here. Again, Dame is a top 3 Blazer of all-time and bringing him back makes complete sense. He'll probably retire when his contract expires, which is why he asked for 3 years. The team is fully aware he will be out for most, if not all, of this season. But he's a P.R. boost and hopefully a veteran mentor for Scoot. The Blazers also have Jrue and Scoot. Point guard is not a position of concern. I get the concerns around Scoot, and totally feel like he dominated against lesser opponents, but is out classed in the league. Think Ricky Rubio and the hype he had.

Shaedon Sharpe? I said he could peak as Vince Carter and his floor is Darius Miles. And it kind of sucks, but he is trending towards Darius Miles. But Miles was awesome. Still an ESPN highlight reel when he played. But as I try to point out, other than Jalen Williams, there really wasn't a better pick. 2022 was just a bad draft.

IR Damian Lillard, Robert Williams III (Inevitable)

I lol'd. But sucks because he's a likeable player and seems like a cool dude.