It’s time to blow it up......

[d-train]

If Blazers decided to trade Lillard, we would get very close to nothing. Sixers would be less willing to trade Simmons for Lillard than they would trade him for Harden. Every team you offered Lillard to would start the discussion by taking at least their best player off the table. Less than a handful of teams could pay Lillard's salary and the massive luxury taxes they would owe. Blazers fans would be in shock over how little we would get by trading Lillard. The only way we would get anything would be by taking huge untradable contracts. Lillard would yield nothing, but we could get some likely bad draft picks by relieving teams of unwanted financial burdens.

I appreciate that you say this a year after Russell Westbrook on a worse contract, with a history of injuries got four first round picks.

They didn't get 4 1st round picks. Rockets and OKC exchanged bad contracts. Rockets got a less bad contract and kicked in 2 protected firsts and 2 swaps. Rockets didn't pay a lot to get Westbrook, but they got even less back when they traded him. I'm not sure what your point is, unless you are just mistaken about what was traded.

[The Sebastian Express]

If Blazers decided to trade Lillard, we would get very close to nothing. Sixers would be less willing to trade Simmons for Lillard than they would trade him for Harden. Every team you offered Lillard to would start the discussion by taking at least their best player off the table. Less than a handful of teams could pay Lillard's salary and the massive luxury taxes they would owe. Blazers fans would be in shock over how little we would get by trading Lillard. The only way we would get anything would be by taking huge untradable contracts. Lillard would yield nothing, but we could get some likely bad draft picks by relieving teams of unwanted financial burdens.

I appreciate that you say this a year after Russell Westbrook on a worse contract, with a history of injuries got four first round picks.

They didn't get 4 1st round picks. Rockets and OKC exchanged bad contracts. Rockets got a less bad contract and kicked in 2 protected firsts and 2 swaps. Rockets didn't pay a lot to get Westbrook, but they got even less back when they traded him. I'm not sure what your point is, unless you are just mistaken about what was traded.

Yes, I know it was a pick swap. And considering how the Rockets are now mostly dismantled that pick swap is terrible for them. But you know that, dewald. Just as you know how ludicrous your suggestion is that we'd get next to nothing for Lillard. Your exact phrase was 'Lillard would yield nothing'.

Yes, of course. My mistake. You're right. An all-nba player at thirty years old with limitless range in a league that absolutely places a premium on elite shooting would yield less than Chris Paul, Westbrook, Jrue Holiday and a number of others traded over the last year and a half. I'll do you the favor of not pointing out how you've ignored my point about Westbrook's far worse health, older age and not even to mention his inferior shooting.

But the Blazers would get less for Lillard. You're right.

[d-train]

I appreciate that you say this a year after Russell Westbrook on a worse contract, with a history of injuries got four first round picks.

They didn't get 4 1st round picks. Rockets and OKC exchanged bad contracts. Rockets got a less bad contract and kicked in 2 protected firsts and 2 swaps. Rockets didn't pay a lot to get Westbrook, but they got even less back when they traded him. I'm not sure what your point is, unless you are just mistaken about what was traded.

Yes, I know it was a pick swap. And considering how the Rockets are now mostly dismantled that pick swap is terrible for them. But you know that, dewald. Just as you know how ludicrous your suggestion is that we'd get next to nothing for Lillard. Your exact phrase was 'Lillard would yield nothing'.

Yes, of course. My mistake. You're right. An all-nba player at thirty years old with limitless range in a league that absolutely places a premium on elite shooting would yield less than Chris Paul, Westbrook, Jrue Holiday and a number of others traded over the last year and a half. I'll do you the favor of not pointing out how you've ignored my point about Westbrook's far worse health, older age and not even to mention his inferior shooting.

But the Blazers would get less for Lillard. You're right.

You do know that if you trade $5 for $3, you didn't make $3. Right?

[GEE]

Too bad Dame is such a cash cow for the Blazers organization... he's not going anywhere. Too bad. I think a straight trade of Dame for Simmons would make our team much better.

But since that isn't happening, Dame really needs to figure isht out. It's why he's paid the big money. Stop watching B-Roy tapes and admiring the playing style of other notorious ball-hogs, and start watching the great PGs like Nash and Stockton. Also some Jordan film study would be helpful too. Dame's just not as good as most make him out to be. Besides his shooting, the other parts of his game could get much better.

Dame appears right now to me as the equivalent of 2nd or 3rd year Steph Curry. Difference is, Curry worked hard on his ball-handling and passing making him the player he is today. Dame was reported to have worked on a half-court shot this last off-season. Curry also has a far higher BBIQ, IMO, and also has a much better coach to learn from.

[basketballRob]

Aminu is healthy now and will debut against Portland.

What about TRoss, Aminu for Jones, Trent, and Hood?

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[JasonVincent]

Aminu is healthy now and will debut against Portland.

What about TRoss, Aminu for Jones, Trent, and Hood?

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No. Why should we?

[basketballRob]

Aminu is healthy now and will debut against Portland.

What about TRoss, Aminu for Jones, Trent, and Hood?

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No. Why should we?

You'll have to go over the tax threshold next season to sign Trent. Ross and Aminu are both already signed. Ross also would shine playing alongside CJ and Dame. Also Aminu is comfortable playing there and would be able to step right in.

Were going to lose Fournier next season, because we're up against the luxury tax threshold also. With Ross and Fournier gone, we could offer Trent like a 4 yr 60-70m deal.

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[JRoy]

No need for POR to downgrade talent.
DJJ has slight negative value as does Hood. Trent has positive value.

Both Ross and Aminu have negative value. Who cares if they’re signed if they stink?

ORL FRP makes the value closer but this doesn’t help POR make the playoffs.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

Unless you have a top 5 player the best chance you have is to make it to the dance as deep as possible as often as possible. No one wishes injuries but they do happen and if you aren't in a position to seize the moment because you are constantly blowing it up then you will miss your opportunity.

[basketballRob]

No need for POR to downgrade talent.
DJJ has slight negative value as does Hood. Trent has positive value.

Both Ross and Aminu have negative value. Who cares if they’re signed if they stink?

ORL FRP makes the value closer but this doesn’t help POR make the playoffs.

We'd definitely pass on giving a first. Maybe we'll just let Fournier walk and offer Trent a 4 yr 50m deal, plus a starting position next season. Portland could match but they'll pay a big penalty in luxury tax.

Plus it's possible a team that has cap space like NY offers Trent a 4 yr 70-80m.

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[d-train]

Maybe we'll just let Fournier walk and offer Trent a 4 yr 50m deal, plus a starting position next season.

Good idea, you should do this.

[basketballRob]

Maybe we'll just let Fournier walk and offer Trent a 4 yr 50m deal, plus a starting position next season.

Good idea, you should do this.

I was just thinking of a deal that would work for both teams, but neither team has to make a deal. Also maybe Portland finds something better. Do you think they'll try to retain Trent next season?

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[d-train]

Maybe we'll just let Fournier walk and offer Trent a 4 yr 50m deal, plus a starting position next season.

Good idea, you should do this.

I was just thinking of a deal that would work for both teams, but neither team has to make a deal. Also maybe Portland finds something better. Do you think they'll try to retain Trent next season?

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We have multiple good options. Re-signing Trent is an option.

[JRoy]

If GTJr gets a 4 year $50 million offer POR will match.

I expect it to in the $15-18 million range which is a much tougher choice

[DeBlazerRiddem]

GT2 is bout to get paid if he keeps playing like this with CJ down.

[Norm2953]

GTJ is likely going to be matched regardless of offer. He might be the only soon to be free agent that
would be matched for Zach might not get a qualifying offer if the team doctors give the team a
negative report.

[d-train]

If GTJr gets a 4 year $50 million offer POR will match.

I expect it to in the $15-18 million range which is a much tougher choice

I suspect Blazers will match any offer made to GTJ. The only uncertainty here is our new ownership. So far, our new owner has operated identical to Paul Allen. Paul Allen would not compromise the quality of the team to save money. However, the new owner's willingness to pay taxes hasn't been tested.

[d-train]

GTJ is likely going to be matched regardless of offer. He might be the only soon to be free agent that
would be matched for Zach might not get a qualifying offer if the team doctors give the team a
negative report.

Of course, if Zach is damaged goods, he won't get a QO or any offers from anyone. However, if he is expected to be ready to play, giving him his QO is almost a no-brainer. The decision is harder if someone decides to pay him like Orlando paid Johnathan Isaac before he was ready to play. To me, Zach's situation sounds potentially worse than Isaac's. So, I don't expect anyone is going to gamble.

[basketballRob]

GTJ is likely going to be matched regardless of offer. He might be the only soon to be free agent that
would be matched for Zach might not get a qualifying offer if the team doctors give the team a
negative report.

Wouldn't that put you guys way over the luxury tax?

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[Norm2953]

Real chance Portland would listen to offers for CJ if they extended GTJ.