Win now trade idea thread (Build around Dame!!)

[Case2012]

This thread is not to be confused with the blow it up trade idea thread. Please post your ideas to compete next year.

I’ve been thinking non stop since Friday how to salvage Portlands plan and I’ve thought of 3 or 4 trades that I think work with everyone involved.

First Trade: Ant and the Milwaukee first to Chicago for Lavine and the rights to our pick back.

Lavine can get his max 5 year deal in Chicago, but maybe he wants to come back to the NW and works with CHI to get them his replacement in Ant? Portland gets control of their future back with the ability to make deals involving multiple 1sts to win now in Dame’s window. Portland’s main reason for this though is pairing Dame with an all star SG in his prime taller than 6’4, that put up 27/5/5 on good efficiency. Losing Ant sucks but we avoid a repeat of the last 8 years. I think this trade is actually feasible despite Portland’s FA luck due to Lavine’s ties to the NW.

Chicago gets a potential future all star and a pick that is only top 4 protected in 2025 when Holiday is 35 and Middleton 34. Ant makes an ideal backcourt partner with Ball and PNR partner with Patrick Williams. This is pretty damn good compensation for a player who could just leave CHI for nothing. They can Move DDR and VUC for more assets or run it back.
Ant
Ball
DDR
Williams
VUC

Second trade: 6th pick for charlotte’s 13th and 15th (plus additional assets I haven’t figured out yet. I was thinking Oubre but the contracts are tough)

Portland got screwed out of their second lottery pick by Cronin’s inept trading ability, so their plan for Grant is unlikely unless they trade the 6th for him (Barf) or they trade down.

Charlotte does this no brainer deal to solidify their core with one of Murray/Mathurin/Griffin/Duren/Davis to go with Ball and Bridges.

Third Trade 13th pick, 36th pick, Keon Johnson and CJ tpe for Grant

Portland gets their guy to appease Dame for a pick 2 spots lower than the one they were planning on using but adds a second and a young prospect that can get playing time in rebuilding Det. Grant is also from PDX so I think that’s great for chemistry.

Det gets their second lottery pick, a second, a tpe and another prospect. This deal seems like already done, so it shouldn’t be a stretch.

4th Trade: This one has been giving me headaches. I have a few ideas here but I’m not sure on value.

One idea is to trade Bledsoe, and the 15th pick for Bojan Bogdonovic in ATL. Their contracts work in the trade machine. The risk here is Bojan has played in 27 and 63 games the last 2 seasons and his efficiency is ok but not amazing. This saves ATL 14 million and they get a pick in the process. Perhaps they can move Galo as well to create a max cap spot, Idk?

Another one is to Let Nurkic walk and use the same package plus a future Portland first to get Turner from Indy, who is a player that would fit perfect in Billups system. He’s only got a year left on his deal and wants a more featured role similar to Grant so there’s risk there as well BUT we get a big upgrade on athleticism, defense and shooting. Indy does this because they get 2 firsts and cap space. They can take Kessler or Mark Williams at 15 to replace Turner and make sure they don’t lose him for nothing. This helps their rebuild nicely.

Between the last 2 trades, I would lean towards Turner for fit and TBH I’m ready to move on from Nurk but Billups and Cronin seem keen on keeping him.

Not a trade idea, but it’s been confirmed by Kevin Love that he wants to play for his hometown. I think he’s earned a generous buy out should he want to leave and I think PDX would be the obvious choice. I know everyone on this board has **** on Love the last several years but I remained a believer and he’s proven me right this season. He’d make an excellent backup 4/5 with his rebounding, shooting, passing and overall IQ. There’s a reason he’s a 6th moty candidate. Obviously there’s no guarantee he gets bought out, but in a perfect world he is and PDX is his first choice.

Dunn in his little time here looked like the ideal back up to dame.An energetic playmaking, defensive guard.

Portland next year with Turner

Dame/ Dunn
Lavine/ Nas
Hart/ Winslow/Ingles (on vet min)
Grant/ Love/ Watford
Turner/ Love/ Eubanks

Portland Next year with Bojan

Dame/ Dunn
Lavine/ Nas
Bogdonovic/Hart/ Ingles (on vet min)
Grant/ Winslow/ Love
Nurkic/ Love/ Eubanks

These rosters are absolutely maxed out on cap and are all in around Dame. Not only do I think they’re balanced teams but I think they both fit Billups system well. Lastly, I really like that Lavine, Grant and Love all have ties to the area which would add a feel good element to the season next year after the dumpster fire this season was.

You could argue that these trades were overpays, but I think they’re very realistic not only in value but in possibility and give Dame the best team he’s ever had. The ceiling might be WCF but I’ll take that over blowing it up.

In summary I’ve turned Ant, the 6th pick, CJ’s TPE, Bledsoe’s contract and Keon Johnson into Zach Lavine, Jeremi Grant, and either Myles Turner or Bojan Bogdonovic plus the rights to our future firsts back.
Please be gentle, I’ve put like 3 days into these ideas since I’ve been in bed sick Saturday.

[Epicurus]

At best with much luck, including decent health, that team may get back to a 6th seed, given its better bench that 2021.

[Epicurus]

At best with much luck, including decent health, that team may get back to a 6th seed, given its better bench that 2021.

[BlazersBroncos]

Step 1 - Lotto gods make up for losing the NO pick and we move up, drafting Chet Holmgren - The defensive swiss army knife we need and a off ball shooter / slasher that doesnt require usage (That should go to Dame / Ant)

Step 2 - Portland trades Bledsoe, 2025 MIL FRP, #37 for Jerami Grant (PDX also takes Kelly into the TPE) - Taking Kelly off the books for DET helps alleviate the pick being so far out, PDX adds the guy we have all anticipated ends up in Portland.

Step 3 - Portland signs Vic Oladipo to 4 years, Full MLE w/ max raises and POs on Y3/4 - Any serious improvement will require serious risk, PDX gambles on Vic's health and believes his good 3PT shooting off ball in MIA and his surprising 40pg triple double to end the season are signs he is good-to-go.

G - Damian Lillard (34) / Anfernee Simons (14)
G - Anfernee Simons (18) / Vic Oladipo (30)
F - Josh Hart (28) / Nas Little (20)
F - Jerami Grant (28) / Chet Holmgren (20)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (28) / Kelly Olynyk (15) / Chet Holmgren (5)

[Norm2953]

Don't give up your day job.

I hate the notion Portland will mortgage everything possible to build a team that can't win a championship.

[Norm2953]

Step 1 - Lotto gods make up for losing the NO pick and we move up, drafting Chet Holmgren - The defensive swiss army knife we need and a off ball shooter / slasher that doesnt require usage (That should go to Dame / Ant)

Step 2 - Portland trades Bledsoe, 2025 MIL FRP, #37 for Jerami Grant (PDX also takes Kelly into the TPE) - Taking Kelly off the books for DET helps alleviate the pick being so far out, PDX adds the guy we have all anticipated ends up in Portland.

Step 3 - Portland signs Vic Oladipo to 4 years, Full MLE w/ max raises and POs on Y3/4 - Any serious improvement will require serious risk, PDX gambles on Vic's health and believes his good 3PT shooting off ball in MIA and his surprising 40pg triple double to end the season are signs he is good-to-go.

G - Damian Lillard (34) / Anfernee Simons (14)
G - Anfernee Simons (18) / Vic Oladipo (30)
F - Josh Hart (28) / Nas Little (20)
F - Jerami Grant (28) / Chet Holmgren (20)
C - Jusuf Nurkic (28) / Kelly Olynyk (15) / Chet Holmgren (5)

I do think any Portland get better quick plan has to include Portland moving up in the draft. Its possible Portland could use a TPE to leverage a high enough pick to get Grant. Id like to add another big with the teams MLE

[JRoy]

Don't give up your day job.

I hate the notion Portland will mortgage everything possible to build a team that can't win a championship.

Not a fan of trading picks for the privilege of overpaying Grant.

[Case2012]

Was hoping for a little more feedback than don’t quit your day job and good luck getting the 6th seed, but thanks guys.

Maybe post some better ideas that don’t involve blowing it up?

[m0ng0]

I just don't see a way forward with a 33 year old Dame in the equation. I love the guy, but it's just not possible unless something ridiculous falls in our lap which is not likely. We have a couple of young pieces who could continue to improve add another 4 to five via trading Dame over the next few years and we could be on to something solid. That would require a FO that is really on top of their game or possibly even dumb luck. Players just don't come here. And rebuilding around Dame is a 2 to 3 year window than we are in a worse place than we are in now. The time is now IMHO...

[Case2012]

Lillard doesn't turn 32 for 2 months lol Jesus. Chris Paul is 37 and led his team to the best record in the league and should probably be MVP. Steph is 34 and probably leading his team to the finals again. The recency bias on realgm is insane.

But a healthy 32 year old Lillard, a top 10 player, doesn't have a path to contend lmao. My first post literally lays out a path to the best team Lillard has been on.

Obviously I'm not a moderator but PLEASE don't post in this thread about trading Dame. I specifically started this one not to discuss that but rather a plan to contend with him. There's a blow it up thread already..

I mean I guess we could trade Lillard, move up a few more spots and hope to make it back to the playoffs again in 2 or 3 years. That would be fun I guess? Or maybe we end up like the wolves or the kings? Sure would be fun being Orlando for 5 years right?

We have a superstar player in his prime. We have solid role players, we have a high lottery pick, we have a future Milwaukee pick, we have a few seconds, we have multiple Tpe's, we have young prospects, we have a players coach that wants to recruit, we have expiring contracts, we have cap space and exceptions.

WE HAVE OPTIONS. We can end up like the Lakers in 2 years, I really don't care as long as we FINALLY go for it. I'm 38 and the blazers haven't won a title since before I was born, and the last time the blazers went to the finals, I saw footage of the LA riots after game 6. Personally I would like to see the blazers contend before WW3 or climate change wipes is all out. We're still in the midst of a pandemic. I literally have covid right now... LET'S WIN.

Otherwise, why not sell and relocate the team ffs. What's the point?

[Goldbum]

I'll bite. How about 2 trades and a MLE signing.
Trade #1 Keon, Bucks 25, Bledsoe
4
Jerami Grant
Trade #2
TPE Picks 36 and 57
4
Harrison Barnes

MLE
Jalen Smith
Resign Ant and Nurk
Take BPA with lotto pick
Dame/Ant
Ant/Hart
Barnes/Little
Grant/Smith/Watford
Nurk/Smith/Eubanks
+
GB3/Lotto/Dunn
BWilliams/
IDK it's an interesting set of forwards to go with Nurk and the smalls

[Bigpoppapomp82]

First Trade: Ant and the Milwaukee first to Chicago for Lavine and the rights to our pick back.[/b]
Second trade: 6th pick for charlotte’s 13th and 15th[/b] (plus additional assets I haven’t figured out yet. I was thinking Oubre but the contracts are tough)
Third Trade 13th pick, 36th pick, Keon Johnson and CJ tpe for Grant[/b]
4th Trade:[/b] This one has been giving me headaches. I have a few ideas here but I’m not sure on value.
One idea is to trade Bledsoe, and the 15th pick for Turner

This is one of the more detailed retool's I have seen. Here is my thoughts.

1st Trade - Not sure how if the Bulls will give up that pick and laVine. Depends on if they think he is going to stay? However I love the fits for both teams and gives the Bulls some more outside shooting.

2nd Trade - Solid trade although I think we should ask for more or do some sort of PJ Washington S&T maybe involving Nurk this way they could use Nurk now and compete and then draft someone like Duren at 6 and let him develop. They sign Nurk to a shorter deal.

3rd trade - I am still unsure about Grant's salary moving forward for what he produces. However I think with all the talk about the Blazers being aggressive towards getting him this is a solid trade for both sides.

4th trade - I love what Turner would bring especially with a potential lineup of Dame, Hart, Grant, PJ & Turner. You have Scoring power, Outside shooting, D and ability for your 3-5 to be interchangeable at times. Still leaves us room to sign some vets to fill the gaps and Nas, GB3, TW off the bench. I think they should even consider Bwill or Dunn as a backup 1. Then get a rim protecting big and a 2 that can knock down 3's maybe even bring back Mclemore on a vet minimum.

Kevin Love - Somehow I don't see him getting bought out after Cleveland making the play in tourney this season. He gave them solid minutes off the bench and seemed happy again.

Overall I like this alot and it would be much better than the Dame CJ rosters that were rolled out. We have needed long wings and bugs that can command the paint since LA and Batum left. Speaking of Batum I wouldn't even mind seeing him come back to end his career. Still gives Clips solid minutes now and can guard multiple positions.

[Bigpoppapomp82]

I'll bite. How about 2 trades and a MLE signing.
Trade #1 Keon, Bucks 25, Bledsoe
4
Jerami Grant
Trade #2
TPE Picks 36 and 57
4
Harrison Barnes

MLE
Jalen Smith
Resign Ant and Nurk
Take BPA with lotto pick
Dame/Ant
Ant/Hart
Barnes/Little
Grant/Smith/Watford
Nurk/Smith/Eubanks
+
GB3/Lotto/Dunn
BWilliams/
IDK it's an interesting set of forwards to go with Nurk and the smalls

This one is interesting because we could take a flyer on Shaden Sharpe and hope for a homerun?!

[Case2012]

I'll bite. How about 2 trades and a MLE signing.
Trade #1 Keon, Bucks 25, Bledsoe
4
Jerami Grant
Trade #2
TPE Picks 36 and 57
4
Harrison Barnes

MLE
Jalen Smith
Resign Ant and Nurk
Take BPA with lotto pick
Dame/Ant
Ant/Hart
Barnes/Little
Grant/Smith/Watford
Nurk/Smith/Eubanks
+
GB3/Lotto/Dunn
BWilliams/
IDK it's an interesting set of forwards to go with Nurk and the smalls

Is Barnes really only worth 2 seconds and a TPE? For that price I would have a hard time not taking him but why does SAC do that? That squad kind of reminds me of the 2015 warriors in some ways, but Ant isn’t the defender Klay is and Grant isn’t much of a playmaker.

I think Lavine (I will die on the “trade ant for Lavine plus our pick back hill”) could replicate a lot of Klay’s shooting, running off screens etc. Instead of trading for Grant, what If we traded the 6th pick, Bledsoe, and Winslow for Siakam? Winslow seems like a Masai type player and the 6th pick lines up with the core of their other younger players like OG, S Barnes, Vanvleet, and Trent. If they added Duren to that lineup they would be terrifying.

Dame = Steph
Lavine = Klay
H Barnes =… Barnes
Siakam = Draymond
Nurk = Bogut
Dunn = Livingston
Hart = Iggy
Love ( If he’s bought out)= Lee

[JRoy]

Cut out the middle man and put aside the vain hope of contention.

Commit to the rebuild.

“Rebuild today for a better tomorrow”

[Dame Lizard]

I'll bite. How about 2 trades and a MLE signing.
Trade #1 Keon, Bucks 25, Bledsoe
4
Jerami Grant
Trade #2
TPE Picks 36 and 57
4
Harrison Barnes

MLE
Jalen Smith
Resign Ant and Nurk
Take BPA with lotto pick
Dame/Ant
Ant/Hart
Barnes/Little
Grant/Smith/Watford
Nurk/Smith/Eubanks
+
GB3/Lotto/Dunn
BWilliams/
IDK it's an interesting set of forwards to go with Nurk and the smalls

Is Barnes really only worth 2 seconds and a TPE? For that price I would have a hard time not taking him but why does SAC do that? That squad kind of reminds me of the 2015 warriors in some ways, but Ant isn’t the defender Klay is and Grant isn’t much of a playmaker.

I think Lavine (I will die on the “trade ant for Lavine plus our pick back hill”) could replicate a lot of Klay’s shooting, running off screens etc. Instead of trading for Grant, what If we traded the 6th pick, Bledsoe, and Winslow for Siakam? Winslow seems like a Masai type player and the 6th pick lines up with the core of their other younger players like OG, S Barnes, Vanvleet, and Trent. If they added Duren to that lineup they would be terrifying.

Dame = Steph
Lavine = Klay
H Barnes =… Barnes
Siakam = Draymond
Nurk = Bogut
Dunn = Livingston
Hart = Iggy
Love ( If he’s bought out)= Lee

There's no chance that the Raptors trade Siakam for #6.

If they would, however, I'd do it in an absolute heartbeat.

[Norm2953]

The problem with the win now trade ideas are that even if Portland did everything they could,
the talent gap between the top 4 teams in the Western conference (Phoenix, Memphis, GSW and
Dallas is just too great.

What they need to do in any win now trade is to add a second superstar player next to Dame. That
guy in 2022 is not Holmgren or anyone in this draft but they need a top 3 pick in this draft to offer
the other team to get that guy. That guy is Anthony Davis, Paul George or the like which is a front
court player. Even if Portland got a Lavine to replicate Klay Thompson, they don't have a Draymond
Green to make a GSW type of team work and that GSW team this year seems stronger than ever with
even more weapons that they aren't using.

The loss of the Pelicans pick just reduces the options for Portland for they were counting on that
second pick to get Grant. Instead of forcing a quick retool, just use what options they now have
to make next years team better. Think about building a team to compete with Utah, Minnesota
Denver and the Pelicans. That mid lottery pick given time, will be a good player. Don't mortgage
everything to build a team that will finish sixth in the western conference.

[m0ng0]

Cut out the middle man and put aside the vain hope of contention.

Commit to the rebuild.

“Rebuild today for a better tomorrow”

Yeah I don't get it. I would not trade Simon's straight up for Levine let alone get taken on picks. I don't get the love for Grant. I don't get the short sightedness of cobbling a bunch average talent around Dame and think we are now a contender. I don't think Love would ever be available. Im not looking for a fight but almost this whole idea is a ridiculous pipe dream and not a good one IMO.

[JRoy]

Cut out the middle man and put aside the vain hope of contention.

Commit to the rebuild.

“Rebuild today for a better tomorrow”

Yeah I don't get it. I would not trade Simon's straight up for Levine let alone get taken on picks. I don't get the love for Grant. I don't get the short sightedness of cobbling a bunch average talent around Dame and think we are now a contender. I don't think Love would ever be available. Im not looking for a fight but almost this whole idea is a ridiculous pipe dream and not a good one IMO.

POR is not a contender unless the FO brings in a complementary all star talent.

There isn’t a lot of that around, especially for PORs assets.

[Case2012]

Cut out the middle man and put aside the vain hope of contention.

Commit to the rebuild.

“Rebuild today for a better tomorrow”

Yeah I don't get it. I would not trade Simon's straight up for Levine let alone get taken on picks. I don't get the love for Grant. I don't get the short sightedness of cobbling a bunch average talent around Dame and think we are now a contender. I don't think Love would ever be available. Im not looking for a fight but almost this whole idea is a ridiculous pipe dream and not a good one IMO.

This was a very insightful post, thank you for your constructive criticism. Your continued participation in this thread is appreciated.