Dame names potential trade destinations

[JustBuzzin]

I think we're pretty evenly split 50/50, maybe 60/40 in favor of keeping versus trading.

But there's also the nuance of navigating through how many of the 40% are people who moreso want to trade him because they don't believe in our management and want to give him a shot elsewhere because they don't think they could do it here?

I am a firmly keep and build around Dame member of our community. He is our franchise's best ever player and most loyal. But I'm also with a side of 'Don't you dare trade that third pick for a shoddy deal' camp. It's a bit conflicting on the surface. Some of us do think Dame, if he saw the deals weren't up to par and thought the quality of player had a chance to impact in the next two years plus with some other moves (moving Simons for frontcourt help, MLE, resigning Grant, seeing if we might move Nurkic for a backup guard/wing if we move Simons for a center etc) that he would feel comfortable even if we kept the pick.

Honestly. With so much smoke coming up from so many parties right now, I don't think we'll get a firm grasp on what'll play out until day before or draft day itself.

You guys are in the driver's seat at two. And then we're next in line. Our team franchises will shape the summer in many ways.

What do you think about trading #3 for one of those vets on the trade market like Zion/Ingram/Beal/Towns?

I would think Dame would want a win now established vet over the #3 pick.


As a Charlotte fan im also hearing we like Brandon Miller over Scoot. So you might have Scoot just waiting there for you at #3.


You guys have a lot of options will be interesting to see how all this plays out.

For Zion I am fine even though the injury risk, a lot of people here aren't. Ingram I think New Orleans would need to add something. Beal, no. He just doesn't hold that kind of value at all for both the pick and our situation. I'm not a KAT fan, but I would reluctantly accept such.

I think the order of preference here for everyone if you look at us s a group instead of individuals is probably (obviously ignoring any situation where Embiid wants out and Portland tries to throw everything that can to get him which still might not be enough):

Bridges
Siakam/brown
KAT
Ingram
Zion

Many of us are wary about trading the third for only a player who is an expiring, though. But dealing with Toronto fans isn't our favorite past times so we generally leave the Siakam conversation untouched here.

Yeah Charlotte fans seem a majority no on Zion as well. Im like you I would take that risk on Zion. There is a slight chance he might get healthy in a new environment. His production is not the problem dude is a beast when he plays. The problem is keeping him on the court.

I think Portland is in a similar situation as us. We just need talent. Zion is a generational talent, people seem to forget that because of his off the court issues.

[DusterBuster]

What do you think about trading #3 for one of those vets on the trade market like Zion/Ingram/Beal/Towns?

I would think Dame would want a win now established vet over the #3 pick.


As a Charlotte fan im also hearing we like Brandon Miller over Scoot. So you might have Scoot just waiting there for you at #3.


You guys have a lot of options will be interesting to see how all this plays out.

For Zion I am fine even though the injury risk, a lot of people here aren't. Ingram I think New Orleans would need to add something. Beal, no. He just doesn't hold that kind of value at all for both the pick and our situation. I'm not a KAT fan, but I would reluctantly accept such.

I think the order of preference here for everyone if you look at us s a group instead of individuals is probably (obviously ignoring any situation where Embiid wants out and Portland tries to throw everything that can to get him which still might not be enough):

Bridges
Siakam/brown
KAT
Ingram
Zion

Many of us are wary about trading the third for only a player who is an expiring, though. But dealing with Toronto fans isn't our favorite past times so we generally leave the Siakam conversation untouched here.

Yeah Charlotte fans seem a majority no on Zion as well. Im like you I would take that risk on Zion. There is a slight chance he might get healthy in a new environment. His production is not the problem dude is a beast when he plays. The problem is keeping him on the court.

I think Portland is in a similar situation as us. We just need talent. Zion is a generational talent, people seem to forget that because of his off the court issues.

Off court and injuries

[GEE]

I don't know this to be true, but I think it's entirely possible that Zion's issues may be between the ears and his BBIQ may be through the floor. Just a hunch.

[JRoy]

What do you think about trading #3 for one of those vets on the trade market like Zion/Ingram/Beal/Towns?

I would think Dame would want a win now established vet over the #3 pick.


As a Charlotte fan im also hearing we like Brandon Miller over Scoot. So you might have Scoot just waiting there for you at #3.


You guys have a lot of options will be interesting to see how all this plays out.

For Zion I am fine even though the injury risk, a lot of people here aren't. Ingram I think New Orleans would need to add something. Beal, no. He just doesn't hold that kind of value at all for both the pick and our situation. I'm not a KAT fan, but I would reluctantly accept such.

I think the order of preference here for everyone if you look at us s a group instead of individuals is probably (obviously ignoring any situation where Embiid wants out and Portland tries to throw everything that can to get him which still might not be enough):

Bridges
Siakam/brown
KAT
Ingram
Zion

Many of us are wary about trading the third for only a player who is an expiring, though. But dealing with Toronto fans isn't our favorite past times so we generally leave the Siakam conversation untouched here.

Yeah Charlotte fans seem a majority no on Zion as well. Im like you I would take that risk on Zion. There is a slight chance he might get healthy in a new environment. His production is not the problem dude is a beast when he plays. The problem is keeping him on the court.

I think Portland is in a similar situation as us. We just need talent. Zion is a generational talent, people seem to forget that because of his off the court issues.

People forget that because he is a gigantic fat ass and always hurt.

[DeBlazerRiddem]

I don't know this to be true, but I think it's entirely possible that Zion's issues may be between the ears and his BBIQ may be through the floor. Just a hunch.

I don't think anyone has questioned his BBIQ. He is a very smart player on the court, reacts quickly and correctly and generally has pretty good decision making both on and off the ball, at least for a player of his age/experience.


But decision making off the court is a different beast entirely and he seems immature in ways that are concerning for someone with so high of expectations.

[DusterBuster]

I don't know this to be true, but I think it's entirely possible that Zion's issues may be between the ears and his BBIQ may be through the floor. Just a hunch.

I think this is largely missing the mark. Dude has a natural BBIQ that can’t be taught, a lot like you see in Sharpe. Some people just see and feel the game differently. When they have that and the strength / athleticism, that’s when you get a (potentially) generational talent.

What sets a real from potential generational talent apart is what’s between the ears. Do they care enough to try or is it just a job and they’d rather be out partying?

[DusterBuster]

Woj was on the Ryen Russillo pod this afternoon. They discussed the Beal situation and Russillo mentioned Lillard as though he and Beal are similarly on the market... Woj flat out said "if you're trading for Beal or, hypothetically, Lillard - who's not available...". Additionally, he said on how close these players are to getting traded "we're not there yet with Lillard, and we very likely may never get there".

More and more it's becoming very clear everyone knows right now Lillard isn't moving right now and it's probably still relatively unlikely it ever gets there.

[DusterBuster]

More from Woj:

"We're in two different worlds with Dame and Beal. Dame has not asked for a trade, they're not shopping him, he's engaged with the organization. They're going to do everything they can at the draft and FA to build around him still.

Portland is going to do what they can to trade that 3rd pick for a proven player, but not sure that player is out there, but the pick is extremely valuable. If it's Scoot, you can question the fit with Lillard, but talented guys can figure out how to play together. They're expecting Sharpe to take a leap, he's going to be really good. Trying to resign Grant and then some other moves. Does that make them a contender, I don't know, but Lillard signed up for this retool around him and that doesn't happen overnight.

I think the value for Portland is in the pick [not trading it], I just don't know if there's a player out there that justifies moving a pick for a rookie scale player who has a chance to be an All-Star. If you're moving that, you better get a LOT back. I don't see it right now and don't know if they see it right now [regarding a trade], so a week out here from the draft, I think they use the pick."

[DusterBuster]

Anyone notice how now that Dame rumors are dying down, so are postings from non-Blazer fans on this forum? … funny.

Almost like some of them had ulterior motives and weren’t really here because they liked the team and just wanted “engaging discussions”!

[Wizenheimer]

More from Woj:

"We're in two different worlds with Dame and Beal. Dame has not asked for a trade, they're not shopping him, he's engaged with the organization. They're going to do everything they can at the draft and FA to build around him still.

Portland is going to do what they can to trade that 3rd pick for a proven player, but not sure that player is out there, but the pick is extremely valuable. If it's Scoot, you can question the fit with Lillard, but talented guys can figure out how to play together. They're expecting Sharpe to take a leap, he's going to be really good. Trying to resign Grant and then some other moves. Does that make them a contender, I don't know, but Lillard signed up for this retool around him and that doesn't happen overnight.

I think the value for Portland is in the pick [not trading it], I just don't know if there's a player out there that justifies moving a pick for a rookie scale player who has a chance to be an All-Star. If you're moving that, you better get a LOT back. I don't see it right now and don't know if they see it right now [regarding a trade], so a week out here from the draft, I think they use the pick."

on paper, it might be better if Charlotte took Scoot and Miller 'fell' to Portland. Miller fills a huge need (assuming he's as good as the scouts say) and fits much better

I'm very skeptical of prospects who are heavily hyped and Scoot has for certain been heavily hyped. Maybe he'll be as good as the hype, but that would have to be very good indeed.

[DusterBuster]

More from Woj:

"We're in two different worlds with Dame and Beal. Dame has not asked for a trade, they're not shopping him, he's engaged with the organization. They're going to do everything they can at the draft and FA to build around him still.

Portland is going to do what they can to trade that 3rd pick for a proven player, but not sure that player is out there, but the pick is extremely valuable. If it's Scoot, you can question the fit with Lillard, but talented guys can figure out how to play together. They're expecting Sharpe to take a leap, he's going to be really good. Trying to resign Grant and then some other moves. Does that make them a contender, I don't know, but Lillard signed up for this retool around him and that doesn't happen overnight.

I think the value for Portland is in the pick [not trading it], I just don't know if there's a player out there that justifies moving a pick for a rookie scale player who has a chance to be an All-Star. If you're moving that, you better get a LOT back. I don't see it right now and don't know if they see it right now [regarding a trade], so a week out here from the draft, I think they use the pick."

on paper, it might be better if Charlotte took Scoot and Miller 'fell' to Portland. Miller fills a huge need (assuming he's as good as the scouts say) and fits much better

I'm very skeptical of prospects who are heavily hyped and Scoot has for certain been heavily hyped. Maybe he'll be as good as the hype, but that would have to be very good indeed.

Yeah, it feels like the NBA has had a bad run on hyped players who’ve been less than impressive over the last handful of years… Simmons, Wiggins, Fultz, and Zion is impressive - when not fat and injured.

The one thing I see with Scoot that the other miss hyped guys didn’t have is the mindset to be great. He seems to be wired between the ears like the guys who pan out always are. I would say Miller seems wired that way too.

[GEE]

I want to be clear to all of you, I've NEVER said I hate Dame. Over more than a year now, I have only wanted to discuss the possibility of even entertaining the idea of what our Blazers could be, POST-Dame, and RESPECTFULLY, which I can't say for the circle-jerkers in here. It's why nobody posts on here anymore IMO. Some of ya'll are kinda Bullies if anyone disagrees with the popular opinion, even if it's the topic of discusion.

Anyway, I'll just try to stay away as much as I can, since some are so bothered by discussion of different ideas from their own and feel the need to insult people in their responses to posters, unprovoked.

My overall feeling is that Dame is the best shooter the Blazers have ever had, one of the NBA's best ever, but I also think the Blazers would be better immediately with him going to BKN for Simmons / Claxton / #21/ and at least one more really good FFRP, along with at least two swaps.

In addition, I would also strongly consider taking what I consider is a HUGE gamble, and get Zion! Nurkic / #3 / TPE for Zion? Is that legal? Final move would be bringing Pritchard back to Oregon. Not sure what that would take but I doubt it'd be a whole lot in assets... maybe a 3rd stringer like Keon and future pick?

A NEW-ERA BLAZERS TEAM, that at least provides some hope and guarantees thrills:
Simons / Pritchard
Sharpe / Thybulle
Simmons / Little / Knox
Zion / Watford
Claxton / Eubanks / Walker

#21 / NYK FRP / one or two additional FFRPs from BKN

It's just what I'd do... if I were a REALGM... JERKS!!!

[Norm2953]

I'm hoping to see a team of Nurk (7-0), Grant (6-8), Miller (6-9) and if the report is correct
Sharpe (6-8). It can happen if Charlotte picks Scoot.

Finally Dame gets to play for the first time since 2014, on a Portland team with real size and
length. No more 6-3 back court mates and 6-5 SF.

[Moonbeam]

I want to be clear to all of you, I've NEVER said I hate Dame. Over more than a year now, I have only wanted to discuss the possibility of even entertaining the idea of what our Blazers could be, POST-Dame, and RESPECTFULLY, which I can't say for the circle-jerkers in here. It's why nobody posts on here anymore IMO. Some of ya'll are kinda Bullies if anyone disagrees with the popular opinion, even if it's the topic of discusion.

Anyway, I'll just try to stay away as much as I can, since some are so bothered by discussion of different ideas from their own and feel the need to insult people in their responses to posters, unprovoked.

My overall feeling is that Dame is the best shooter the Blazers have ever had, one of the NBA's best ever, but I also think the Blazers would be better immediately with him going to BKN for Simmons / Claxton / #21/ and at least one more really good FFRP, along with at least two swaps.

In addition, I would also strongly consider taking what I consider is a HUGE gamble, and get Zion! Nurkic / #3 / TPE for Zion? Is that legal? Final move would be bringing Pritchard back to Oregon. Not sure what that would take but I doubt it'd be a whole lot in assets... maybe a 3rd stringer like Keon and future pick?

A NEW-ERA BLAZERS TEAM, that at least provides some hope and guarantees thrills:
Simons / Pritchard
Sharpe / Thybulle
Simmons / Little / Knox
Zion / Watford
Claxton / Eubanks / Walker

#21 / NYK FRP / one or two additional FFRPs from BKN

It's just what I'd do... if I were a REALGM... JERKS!!!

GEE, let me start this by saying I'm sad that you are feeling like you shouldn't post on RealGM. I hope you do continue to post here. There is a broad umbrella of Blazer fans and Blazer fan opinions, and those should be welcome here as long as posters don't break RealGM's rules.

I'll try to not speak as a moderator here, as I understand that this can come across as heavy-handed. What I can say is that there have been many posters who have said they want the team to trade Dame and haven't been met with the types of responses you describe. Putting the moderator hat on just for one more moment, if you do feel that some posts cross the line into bullying, please report said posts and the moderator team can handle it.

The reason I believe you've gotten pushback is not, IMO, because you want the team to trade Lillard, but rather what can come across as character assessments of Dame which don't feel properly substantiated. It's posts like this or this or this where it seems like you are going beyond assessment of Portland's roster and Dame's place on it. Instead, it morphs into something where you are alleging (without much basis, IMO) that Lillard is a horrible teammate or that he is threatened by others on the team, whether that be Simons or Billups. I've challenged you on some of these posts before, but I hope you haven't felt I've crossed a line toward bullying. I've never tried to do that to anyone and wouldn't try to do it to a fellow Blazer fan.

I'll mention that there probably is a bias toward Dame among Blazer fans that is also present on this board. I think it's a natural thing to champion someone who has played so well for the team and (IMO) represented the team on and off the court in a great way. So you may be right in pointing out that Dame may be treated more kindly than other Blazer players. One example I'll bring up is Anfernee Simons. I think you are a big fan of him (which is great! He's a very promising young player), while many on this board have expressed a desire for Portland to trade him and have given less-than-glowing player evaluations. The difference is that these posters haven't (as far as I've seen) called into question Simons' character in the way you have with Lillard. Blazer fans being a bit touchy with Dame is something that honestly I don't think will change much due to Dame's history with the team.

I know some others may have questioned your proposed trades due to not being as high on the players you are proposing Portland gets in return. But in all honestly, we all have players we overvalue or undervalue relative to others --- that's the nature of being a fan viewing things through an inherently subjective lens. Lord knows there are many players that I would pay a relative king's ransom for that others would probably scoff at (Lu Dort, for one).

I think if you can shy away from posts like the ones I linked above, you wouldn't get the sort of pushback you've described, even if you want the team to trade Dame. I hope this doesn't come across as condescending --- I certainly have made posts before which haven't come across well!

[The Sebastian Express]

You should listen to moonbeam. If people were bullying people who wanted to trade Dame, JRoy would be exiled. And currently he's only under threat of being exiled from the Raptors board, as he fights a one man battle against Toronto fans on their own turf. Truly an inspiration to heroic tales of people fighting impossible wars.

He will be remembered well once burned alike in a ceremonial sacrifice.

[Butter]

I want to be clear to all of you, I've NEVER said I hate Dame. Over more than a year now, I have only wanted to discuss the possibility of even entertaining the idea of what our Blazers could be, POST-Dame, and RESPECTFULLY, which I can't say for the circle-jerkers in here. It's why nobody posts on here anymore IMO. Some of ya'll are kinda Bullies if anyone disagrees with the popular opinion, even if it's the topic of discusion.

Anyway, I'll just try to stay away as much as I can, since some are so bothered by discussion of different ideas from their own and feel the need to insult people in their responses to posters, unprovoked.

My overall feeling is that Dame is the best shooter the Blazers have ever had, one of the NBA's best ever, but I also think the Blazers would be better immediately with him going to BKN for Simmons / Claxton / #21/ and at least one more really good FFRP, along with at least two swaps.

In addition, I would also strongly consider taking what I consider is a HUGE gamble, and get Zion! Nurkic / #3 / TPE for Zion? Is that legal? Final move would be bringing Pritchard back to Oregon. Not sure what that would take but I doubt it'd be a whole lot in assets... maybe a 3rd stringer like Keon and future pick?

A NEW-ERA BLAZERS TEAM, that at least provides some hope and guarantees thrills:
Simons / Pritchard
Sharpe / Thybulle
Simmons / Little / Knox
Zion / Watford
Claxton / Eubanks / Walker

#21 / NYK FRP / one or two additional FFRPs from BKN

It's just what I'd do... if I were a REALGM... JERKS!!!

GEE, I'm going going to focus on the basketball parts of your post, except for this. Ive been on this board this 2002, and a Blazers fan since I was a little kid. I stopped posting for years for several reasons. BUT, this off-season, with the #3 pick, and thr Dame trade discussions, and everything has revitalized my enthusiasm to discuss with other fans. Hopefully some of these big team decisions can help revamp to fun for a lot of us.

One BIG aspect of Dames value IMHO is his influence in the locker room. The main reason I could get behind bringing Zion in is because of Dames influence to help Zion fulfill his potential. That would mean both Zion getting in shape (hopefully decreasing the injury risk) and reenergizing his commitment to being a generational talent and winning a championship.

The flip side of that coin is the potential toxic environment from bringing in both Simmons and Zion. That could be an epic melt down.

[HoopsFanAZ]

IIRC it was said about Rodman being a jack@$$ on the Bulls … you can have one, but if you get a second one they breed.
Zion and Simmons is a non-starter for me.

Simmons, Claxton and 4 1st rounders … if it HAD TO come to that … it would be in the running.

[Wizenheimer]

IIRC it was said about Rodman being a jack@$$ on the Bulls … you can have one, but if you get a second one they breed.
Zion and Simmons is a non-starter for me.

Simmons, Claxton and 4 1st rounders … if it HAD TO come to that … it would be in the running.

Simmons has massive negative value

if Portland is trading Dame, they should not accept ANY negative value assets. Not a one

Dinwiddie and Harris work, and have enough positive value that Portland could re-route them for some assets

[Moonbeam]

I want to be clear to all of you, I've NEVER said I hate Dame. Over more than a year now, I have only wanted to discuss the possibility of even entertaining the idea of what our Blazers could be, POST-Dame, and RESPECTFULLY, which I can't say for the circle-jerkers in here. It's why nobody posts on here anymore IMO. Some of ya'll are kinda Bullies if anyone disagrees with the popular opinion, even if it's the topic of discusion.

Anyway, I'll just try to stay away as much as I can, since some are so bothered by discussion of different ideas from their own and feel the need to insult people in their responses to posters, unprovoked.

My overall feeling is that Dame is the best shooter the Blazers have ever had, one of the NBA's best ever, but I also think the Blazers would be better immediately with him going to BKN for Simmons / Claxton / #21/ and at least one more really good FFRP, along with at least two swaps.

In addition, I would also strongly consider taking what I consider is a HUGE gamble, and get Zion! Nurkic / #3 / TPE for Zion? Is that legal? Final move would be bringing Pritchard back to Oregon. Not sure what that would take but I doubt it'd be a whole lot in assets... maybe a 3rd stringer like Keon and future pick?

A NEW-ERA BLAZERS TEAM, that at least provides some hope and guarantees thrills:
Simons / Pritchard
Sharpe / Thybulle
Simmons / Little / Knox
Zion / Watford
Claxton / Eubanks / Walker

#21 / NYK FRP / one or two additional FFRPs from BKN

It's just what I'd do... if I were a REALGM... JERKS!!!

GEE, I'm going going to focus on the basketball parts of your post, except for this. Ive been on this board this 2002, and a Blazers fan since I was a little kid. I stopped posting for years for several reasons. BUT, this off-season, with the #3 pick, and thr Dame trade discussions, and everything has revitalized my enthusiasm to discuss with other fans. Hopefully some of these big team decisions can help revamp to fun for a lot of us.

One BIG aspect of Dames value IMHO is his influence in the locker room. The main reason I could get behind bringing Zion in is because of Dames influence to help Zion fulfill his potential. That would mean both Zion getting in shape (hopefully decreasing the injury risk) and reenergizing his commitment to being a generational talent and winning a championship.

The flip side of that coin is the potential toxic environment from bringing in both Simmons and Zion. That could be an epic melt down.

Good to see you here, Butter!

I agree that this is a very fascinating offseason. The next few weeks are going to be quite franchise-shifting, one way or another.

[ebott]

I think we're pretty evenly split 50/50, maybe 60/40 in favor of keeping versus trading.

But there's also the nuance of navigating through how many of the 40% are people who moreso want to trade him because they don't believe in our management and want to give him a shot elsewhere because they don't think they could do it here?

This is me 100%. I don't really think the Blazers are going to benefit much from a Dame trade. At least not to the point where it makes us a better team five years from now when compared to what we are now. I want Dame traded for Dame's sake. It's gonna be super sad to watch him first round and out for the next five years. And that's a best case scenario. The more likely thing is that we end up tanking again when it looks like we won't make the playoffs. That's just super sad for Dame. He's just had the best season of his career and his team sucked so hard that then had the 5th worst record in the league. So sad.