Allanfan20 wrote:1) How do you know the Blazers want or don’t want Randle?

2) What in your right or wrong mind makes you think Lillard is our Franchise savior when Portland gets demolished by the best teams in the playoffs, when Portland is at their best.

3) Lillard is old with his injuries. Hell no. If I am taking a HUGE risk on a player with injury concerns, it’s Zion. Not someone as old and declining as Dame. And I am a fan of Dame.

Love or hate Lillard, the guy is a talent in this league. If guys are playing until they are 40, he isn’t old. If they break down at 33 he is. Never love love breaking the entire roster for one player. My question is if you are grabbing Lillard, who else are you getting to come with? Lill RJ and JR don’t get it done in this league.

Thing is, Superteams right now have what I’ll call a maturation period. 1st step, acquire 2 top 10 players and a 3rd all star. No bench except for vet min former stars. Then, add exception players until you are about to hard cap. Keep filling in blanks with 2nd rd picks you can buy or g league players that are hot. Maybe steal an international player who used to play in the NBA but couldn’t cut it earlier in their career. It takes a year or two or three. But once they mature, you are looking at a Nets team with Durant, Irving, Simmons, Aldridge, Drummond… and they add more exception players this offseason. You don’t just make one trade for a star player and compete with that. Or GSW (who has also had a leprechaun’s luck in the draft) and about to get bailed out by the NBA by expansion).

My dream scenario (of this exact moment in time) is Donovan Mitchell (remaining at PG) and forcing his way out of Utah (why?)) and KAT out of Minnesota (why?). Still think that pair needs more ammo to finish a playoff series. Need something more to go with those two. But that group still needs a few years to grow (as would our core, though we lack the “star” that we hope and pray Barrett can become.

Because the above seems more like a video game move, I actually want to see Barrett and Randle continue working on their chemistry. I’m not in love with the rest of the roster (though I really do love Robinson), I still think we need to add a 3&D PG and SF. We aren’t one player away from a championship. We are one or more players away from starting the maturation process.

Until then, we are actually stuck in the NBA doldrums. We need a little luck more than we need one superstar. But if you can pull off 2 or 3, I’m in.

EwingsGlass wrote:Every time I read these arguments against Lillard, I have flash backs to how we wouldn’t want Chris Paul or Kevin Durant. Remember Chris Paul’s meniscus or Durant’s foot graft? Or Chris Paul’s age. I think this board is relatively conservative when it comes to injuries. I’ve been skittish since we traded Nene and Camby for McDyess.

Love or hate Lillard, the guy is a talent in this league. If guys are playing until they are 40, he isn’t old. If they break down at 33 he is. Never love love breaking the entire roster for one player. My question is if you are grabbing Lillard, who else are you getting to come with? Lill RJ and JR don’t get it done in this league.

Thing is, Superteams right now have what I’ll call a maturation period. 1st step, acquire 2 top 10 players and a 3rd all star. No bench except for vet min former stars. Then, add exception players until you are about to hard cap. Keep filling in blanks with 2nd rd picks you can buy or g league players that are hot. Maybe steal an international player who used to play in the NBA but couldn’t cut it earlier in their career. It takes a year or two or three. But once they mature, you are looking at a Nets team with Durant, Irving, Simmons, Aldridge, Drummond… and they add more exception players this offseason. You don’t just make one trade for a star player and compete with that. Or GSW (who has also had a leprechaun’s luck in the draft) and about to get bailed out by the NBA by expansion).

My dream scenario (of this exact moment in time) is Donovan Mitchell (remaining at PG) and forcing his way out of Utah (why?)) and KAT out of Minnesota (why?). Still think that pair needs more ammo to finish a playoff series. Need something more to go with those two. But that group still needs a few years to grow (as would our core, though we lack the “star” that we hope and pray Barrett can become.

Because the above seems more like a video game move, I actually want to see Barrett and Randle continue working on their chemistry. I’m not in love with the rest of the roster (though I really do love Robinson), I still think we need to add a 3&D PG and SF. We aren’t one player away from a championship. We are one or more players away from starting the maturation process.

Until then, we are actually stuck in the NBA doldrums. We need a little luck more than we need one superstar. But if you can pull off 2 or 3, I’m in.

It all comes down to what cost. If you are just giving up Rubio and a future 1st ala Phoenix, sure. Trades that are bigger than that come with big warning signs like Brooklyn had when trading for Paul Pierce and company.

franco12 wrote:How is Dame any different from Kemba or D Rose? Or is he like Kyle Lowry, Jimmy Butler or DeRozan?

Dame is tricky. He's only been in one offensive system his entire career. The challenge is teaching an old dog new tricks. Or Dame trying to show his value by taking all the shots.

It's hard to say no to this type of talent. But as we have seen with the Lakers, talent alone is not everything. There needs to be a fit. Right now, Dame doesn't fit to me, unless he adapts his game to fit the team, similar to what Martin said.

We all want a pass first PG. But is one available? Does one exist, outside of Chris Paul? PGs have changed over the years.

IQ for example, is not a better player, but could be a better fit at a lower price tag. Which allows the FO to put their money in other areas. Some might say the same about Sims, but is he ready to be a starter? Honestly I missed the last game, but read a lot of positives with sims in that 4th quarter.

Basically, I dont see how we can pay top dollar for a PG and top dollar for a center. But I could be wrong. My guess is one of those positions will be filled with a low cost option. I could be totally wrong here. But don't sleep on IQs PG development. Some of the top PGs used to be shooting guards who converted or more offensive threats in college but pass first in the NBA.

He's a fine opportunity but a terrible investment. This is not a guy you spend assets on at this point

fishmike wrote:yes for the play, no for the cost. Not at 32. He's not worth a bunch of picks and players. Yes for Burks/Fournier/Noel/Kemba and maybe a pick with protection. 32 years old making $40mm+ a year. The only way it helps us is if we send them those guys above and modest draft comp.

He's a fine opportunity but a terrible investment. This is not a guy you spend assets on at this point

Including Kemba and Noel in a trade. For anyone or anything. That's funny. It's supposed to be funny, right? Are you still super high?

And to your second point, why would we be giving up any 1st round picks to take on a salary dump of that size?

If Dame couldn't save Portland with McCullom next to him, how or why is he saving us? Other than an old Screamin Stevie Smith factoid about how Dame wants to be the main wheel at MSG (and his camp doesn't), does he even really want to come here? And exactly who is Dame recruiting to come here if the trade gets done? Melo? Just asking. Because you know I had to.