Dame is coming back to Portland!!!

[Case2012]

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=GameTheoryPodcastw%2FSamVecenie

I’m usually pretty in sync with Vecenie, and they nailed it: we still don’t have that star. If we land Siakam or Jaylen Brown? We might not be title favorites, but we’re in the mix—second round, maybe WCF if things break right. Defense wins rings, and we’re a top-5 defense. Add a real star scorer and now we’re dangerous.

How do teams get stars? They showcase their youth, stack picks, and stay ready when a star shakes loose. Brown wants to compete. Siakam does too. Maybe Indy likes the idea of flipping Siakam for youth + rival picks after they “stole” their center. Grant + Shaedon + a MIL and ORL pick for Siakam.. are we sure that can’t get them talking? We talked about Siakam years back and he helped take Indy deep. Drop him onto our defense, add a healthy Dame and Jrue… you could shock the league.

At the very least, I think we can get Lauri without emptying the whole cupboard. Kind of poetic, given he was the guy NO tried to pry loose and helped land us in this whole situation.

People keep saying “the roster doesn’t make sense.” It does if you collect youth and picks, sign the right vets, and then pull the trigger on a big trade. Joe’s got one real shot to go all in. He’s never done it. This is his last chance to prove there was a plan behind the pain—or he’s done.

I don’t know how anyone can argue otherwise-- he’s said for years he’d go all in. It’s now or never. For Joe and for Dame.

Showcase Scoot, Shaedon, even Yang and Clingan. Try to get your own pick back with the Orlando pick (maybe you take a player back since that ORL pick is unprotected?). Then send the pile—five picks to Boston for Brown, a Finals MVP. Use Grant for salary. Just do it, one time. Who knows maybe Deni pops for 22/8/5 and suddenly he’s in a deal that gets you Giannis or Tatum if Boston prefers keeping Brown after the Achilles? Deni + Shaedon + Scoot + the Milwaukee picks and Tatum comes to Portland, wins a ring with his guy Dame? I’m spitballing—but you get the idea.

RealGM always splits into “tank hard” vs. “go all in.” We’ve lived in two timelines for over a decade. I’m done with that. I want us competing—62 wins, Finals run, let’s go.

[Norm2953]

Remember nobody knows what level of player Dame will be at 36 coming off an Achilles.

I'm a big more optimistic Dame will be a significant player, but the risk precludes pushing in all
the chips

[PDXKnight]

OK will admit next season is a lot more interesting with Dame on the roster even though hes a season away

[Case2012]

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=PortlandTrailBlazers

i just think there's a better chance that he comes back and plays at an all star level than he comes back and he's a shell of himself. This is Damian Lillard. I know father time is undefeated but if there was anyone that could do it, it's a guy that beat a career ending condition in a few weeks. He had his best season after everyone said he was washed after the ab injury.

It's realgm, and we're all pessimists and pragmatic but I think people are gonna eat their words. I'm watching this press conference and they're not acting like he's gonna be a 7th man. Dame is gonna come back and start. They're gonna make trades and try to win with him his last 2-3 years. That's what's happening. So, I think it would be a horrible way to end this story without ever going all in, not just for Dame but for this organization with Allen's legacy etc. I think with the sale happening, with jobs on the line, we're finally gonna see it regardless of successful it is and i'm here for it. I'm as glass half empty as anyone, but I'm feeling pretty **** excited for the first time in a loooong time.

Maybe i should start a thread, but it's really exciting to have the feeling that we finally have pieces and a stated desire to win. So It'll be interesting to see what all in move(s) we make.

It's happening, so strap in. Rip city is Baaaaack!!!

[DusterBuster]

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=PortlandTrailBlazers

i just think there's a better chance that he comes back and plays at an all star level than he comes back and he's a shell of himself. This is Damian Lillard. I know father time is undefeated but if there was anyone that could do it, it's a guy that beat a career ending condition in a few weeks. He had his best season after everyone said he was washed after the ab injury.

It's realgm, and we're all pessimists and pragmatic but I think people are gonna eat their words. I'm watching this press conference and they're not acting like he's gonna be a 7th man. Dame is gonna come back and start. They're gonna make trades and try to win with him his last 2-3 years. That's what's happening. So, I think it would be a horrible way to end this story without ever going all in, not just for Dame but for this organization with Allen's legacy etc. I think with the sale happening, with jobs on the line, we're finally gonna see it regardless of successful it is and i'm here for it. I'm as glass half empty as anyone, but I'm feeling pretty **** excited for the first time in a loooong time.

Maybe i should start a thread, but it's really exciting to have the feeling that we finally have pieces and a stated desire to win. So It'll be interesting to see what all in move(s) we make.

It's happening, so strap in. Rip city is Baaaaack!!!

This is the same as my Tou point. There's been a lot of advanced stat usage to tell us why he has a cap on what he can do or become. My opinion on him as with Dame, put a cap on a player when they give you a reason to put a cap on them.

Dame has a serious injury, but players have come back and still been quality NBA players. Until he proves otherwise, or until Tou proves he has hit a ceiling (same with Deni), there's no real good reason to doubt players at a certain age or with a certain history.

[Case2012]

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=PortlandTrailBlazers

i just think there's a better chance that he comes back and plays at an all star level than he comes back and he's a shell of himself. This is Damian Lillard. I know father time is undefeated but if there was anyone that could do it, it's a guy that beat a career ending condition in a few weeks. He had his best season after everyone said he was washed after the ab injury.

It's realgm, and we're all pessimists and pragmatic but I think people are gonna eat their words. I'm watching this press conference and they're not acting like he's gonna be a 7th man. Dame is gonna come back and start. They're gonna make trades and try to win with him his last 2-3 years. That's what's happening. So, I think it would be a horrible way to end this story without ever going all in, not just for Dame but for this organization with Allen's legacy etc. I think with the sale happening, with jobs on the line, we're finally gonna see it regardless of successful it is and i'm here for it. I'm as glass half empty as anyone, but I'm feeling pretty **** excited for the first time in a loooong time.

Maybe i should start a thread, but it's really exciting to have the feeling that we finally have pieces and a stated desire to win. So It'll be interesting to see what all in move(s) we make.

It's happening, so strap in. Rip city is Baaaaack!!!

This is the same as my Tou point. There's been a lot of advanced stat usage to tell us why he has a cap on what he can do or become. My opinion on him as with Dame, put a cap on a player when they give you a reason to put a cap on them.

Dame has a serious injury, but players have come back and still been quality NBA players. Until he proves otherwise, or until Tou proves he has hit a ceiling (same with Deni), there's no real good reason to doubt players at a certain age or with a certain history.

Who would you go after if you were gonna push the chips in, not saying you would, but if you were?

[DusterBuster]

I have time to kill waiting for to pick up a family member at the airport so I went back through the presser and I did catch a mention of Jrue by Billups. Billups did him in respect to mentorship for Scoot and Shae specifically. It was a dual question for Dame and Billups about midway through... so there's that?

[Capn'O]

He wanted the team to get better. Then instead of using the #3 pick in a trade to bring any help in, they drafted the potential point guard of the future. I would have done the same.

Right. And they also traded guys like Hart that could help the Blazers stay decent. They showed their direction and pushed his hand hard on the demand.

I honestly feel both sides did what they had to do. The best route for the Blazers was to rebuild as they didn't really have the blocks to build a contender and the best move for Lillard was to move on if he wanted to compete for something meaningful. I do feel the org ducked responsibility by pushing his hand rather than just coming correct about what they needed to do.

Glad it's mostly water under the bridge now.

[BlazersBroncos]

No trade should be made with Dame in mind until he comes back in 26/27 and shows his play level.

Its ideal in a way - we get to give Scoot and Sharpe this year to show they are developing into winning pieces. If they dont take the jump, they can be included, with picks, for a true win-now guy sometime in the 26/27 season.

But I think it would be nuts to trade Scoot and Sharpe (As well as picks most likely) for someone like Pascal right now. You just cant rely on Dame being Dame until he shows it. Nostalgia and the inherent push to pull for a franchise hero is legit - but you only make a big trade for a win-now guy when health is proven.

[Norm2953]

It's interesting to read about the Blazers pursuing a defensive mindset in building their team and then
bring Dame back.

Right now the team is functional at every position with Deni, Camara and Grant at the forwards with two
young centers in DC and Yang and Jrue, Scoot and Sharpe at guards. That group is short on shooting which
perhaps explains Dame for 2026.

[Capn'O]

No trade should be made with Dame in mind until he comes back in 26/27 and shows his play level.

Its ideal in a way - we get to give Scoot and Sharpe this year to show they are developing into winning pieces. If they dont take the jump, they can be included, with picks, for a true win-now guy sometime in the 26/27 season.

But I think it would be nuts to trade Scoot and Sharpe (As well as picks most likely) for someone like Pascal right now. You just cant rely on Dame being Dame until he shows it. Nostalgia and the inherent push to pull for a franchise hero is legit - but you only make a big trade for a win-now guy when health is proven.

Right. Dame is either a backup or a stopgap when he returns. JRue is either a stopgap or a backup this season. The young pieces get to sink or swim this upcoming season.

The Dame piece makes perfect sense to me. I'm still a little off on Grant still being around.

[BlazersBroncos]

No trade should be made with Dame in mind until he comes back in 26/27 and shows his play level.

Its ideal in a way - we get to give Scoot and Sharpe this year to show they are developing into winning pieces. If they dont take the jump, they can be included, with picks, for a true win-now guy sometime in the 26/27 season.

But I think it would be nuts to trade Scoot and Sharpe (As well as picks most likely) for someone like Pascal right now. You just cant rely on Dame being Dame until he shows it. Nostalgia and the inherent push to pull for a franchise hero is legit - but you only make a big trade for a win-now guy when health is proven.

Right. Dame is either a backup or a stopgap when he returns. JRue is either a stopgap or a backup this season. The young pieces get to sink or swim this upcoming season.

The Dame piece makes perfect sense to me. I'm still a little off on Grant still being around.

Ideally adding 2 vets in Holiday and Dame will help Grant buy-in. PDX is stuck with him regardless - no team is taking that contract.

I hope that Grant, being a guy who has prioritized shots in the past (IE DET over DEN) would buy into a 6th man role where he is allowed to create and shoot a decent amount. Ayton and Simons shot 28 times per game last season. I can see a world where Grant is a 28mpg 6th man who gets 12 shots per game (And if 3PTr stays consistent that is 6+ 3PT attempts per - something PDX needs).

Thats the optimist in me though. Likely we start him and bring both the young guards off the bench - which I hate.

I am of mind that the Dame signing and Holiday trade in no way signal we are going all-in or want to replace the young guards. I think we are instead trying to set them up to max their development and ingrain a winning culture in them.

All things being equal this is my somewhat reasonable hope for a rotation -

G - Jrue Holiday (18) / Scoot Henderson (30)
G - Shadeon Sharpe (32) / Jrue Holiday (8) / Matisse Thybulle (8)
F - Toumani Camara (32) / Jerami Grant (8) / Matisse Thybulle (8)
F - Deni Avdija (32) / Jerami Grant (16)
C - Donovan Clingan (24) / Robert Williams (18) / Hansen Yang (6)

w/ RWIII not playing back-to-backs and likely randomly sitting out sometimes w/ more minutes going to DC and Yang.

[Capn'O]

I am of mind that the Dame signing and Holiday trade in no way signal we are going all-in or want to replace the young guards. I think we are instead trying to set them up to max their development and ingrain a winning culture in them.

I mostly agree though I do think the recent moves put them on notice. Development time isn't forever. But if they move forward I think they stay as part of what's moving forward. I don't see a Blazers godfather offer for a Giannis or the like.

[PDXKnight]

It's interesting to read about the Blazers pursuing a defensive mindset in building their team and then
bring Dame back.

Right now the team is functional at every position with Deni, Camara and Grant at the forwards with two
young centers in DC and Yang and Jrue, Scoot and Sharpe at guards. That group is short on shooting which
perhaps explains Dame for 2026.

I wonder what Chauncey will say when Dame plays zero defense or if anything will be said at all..

[Wizenheimer]

It's interesting to read about the Blazers pursuing a defensive mindset in building their team and then
bring Dame back.

Right now the team is functional at every position with Deni, Camara and Grant at the forwards with two
young centers in DC and Yang and Jrue, Scoot and Sharpe at guards. That group is short on shooting which
perhaps explains Dame for 2026.

I wonder what Chauncey will say when Dame plays zero defense or if anything will be said at all..

he started Simons for 4 straight seasons and Simons is a much worse defender than Dame

[zzaj]

It's interesting to read about the Blazers pursuing a defensive mindset in building their team and then
bring Dame back.

Right now the team is functional at every position with Deni, Camara and Grant at the forwards with two
young centers in DC and Yang and Jrue, Scoot and Sharpe at guards. That group is short on shooting which
perhaps explains Dame for 2026.

I wonder what Chauncey will say when Dame plays zero defense or if anything will be said at all..

he started Simons for 4 straight seasons and Simons is a much worse defender than Dame

Actually, I wonder if a realistic expectation for Lillard when he comes back is a more cerebral Simons?

EDIT: NVM. I forgot about FT rate, which will likely remain a big difference. Clutchness is also worth something...

[DaVoiceMaster]

It's interesting to read about the Blazers pursuing a defensive mindset in building their team and then
bring Dame back.

Right now the team is functional at every position with Deni, Camara and Grant at the forwards with two
young centers in DC and Yang and Jrue, Scoot and Sharpe at guards. That group is short on shooting which
perhaps explains Dame for 2026.

I wonder what Chauncey will say when Dame plays zero defense or if anything will be said at all..

Probably the same thing he said last time he coached him... you're in!

[PDXKnight]

It's interesting to read about the Blazers pursuing a defensive mindset in building their team and then
bring Dame back.

Right now the team is functional at every position with Deni, Camara and Grant at the forwards with two
young centers in DC and Yang and Jrue, Scoot and Sharpe at guards. That group is short on shooting which
perhaps explains Dame for 2026.

I wonder what Chauncey will say when Dame plays zero defense or if anything will be said at all..

he started Simons for 4 straight seasons and Simons is a much worse defender than Dame

Not wrong

Im not saying hes wrong about Sharpe either but its interesting that he sort of picks and chooses who he wants the defense rule to apply to.

[PDXKnight]

It's interesting to read about the Blazers pursuing a defensive mindset in building their team and then
bring Dame back.

Right now the team is functional at every position with Deni, Camara and Grant at the forwards with two
young centers in DC and Yang and Jrue, Scoot and Sharpe at guards. That group is short on shooting which
perhaps explains Dame for 2026.

I wonder what Chauncey will say when Dame plays zero defense or if anything will be said at all..

Probably the same thing he said last time he coached him... you're in!

Exactly. Not saying i wouldnt do the same either as Dame is the best weapon on this team offensively even at an older age once he returns. Just pointing out the irony in the defense argument from Chauncey.

[PDXKnight]

It almost seems like the window of Jerami grant rumors occuring and then dying with him ultimately not being moved has to do with Dame returning. We all know Dame likes him so could be quite possible when Dame started to show interest in returning we kept Grant knowing full well it could be suicide dealing a vet Dame prefers