(07-16-2021, 04:20 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]Siakam (not sure how he would fit with Nurkic - difficult to play two non shooters)
- Grant
- Simmons (a lot of question marks)
Calling it now, 3-team trade between TOR, POR, and PHI
TOR sends Siakam to the Blazers
POR sends McCollum to the 76ers
PHI sends Simmons to the Raptors.
(07-16-2021, 05:40 PM)Tyler Wrote: [ -> ]Also lost in the Dame drama is the effect on Portland’s free agency hopes this off-season.
Let’s say you’re Norman Powell and are an unrestricted free agent. You just heard Dame demand lots of trades and threaten to leave if they don’t happen to his satisfaction. Do you sign in Portland knowing that there’s a very good chance that 1. They’ll trade you ASAP to appease Lillard, or 2. Lillard is traded and you’re stuck on a rebuilding team?
Portland is in a really tough spot. My bet right now is that he secures his future with a more dependable home and the Blazers desperately try to turn it into a S&T.
Powell is 29 years old. He´ll probably just follow the money, although I´m not sure where that is.
Damn McCollum is at $36M in 2023/2024. It might be really tough to move that deal for a big upgrade. Time to unpack CJ. More realistic that they can move a package of Covington/Nurkic + multiple 1st round picks for Ben Simmons. Maybe get Cleveland involved with Sexton and Maxey.
(07-16-2021, 05:20 PM)Tyler Wrote: [ -> ]Olshey: I totally heard you today, and I’m committed to making the team better. We’re looking to trade McCollum for a real upgrade. How do you feel about KP?
Lillard: I see why you want to improve the frontcourt, but I want to play with Luka. That’s a guaranteed championship right there.
Olshey: C’mon, Dame. There’s no way Dallas will trade Luka for CJ.
Lillard: Never said they would. Enjoy KP.
Then Tyler woke up and changed sheets.
(07-16-2021, 06:27 PM)SleepingHero Wrote: [ -> ]Calling it now, 3-team trade between TOR, POR, and PHI
TOR sends Siakam to the Blazers
POR sends McCollum to the 76ers
PHI sends Simmons to the Raptors.
It's not crazy, because each team improves, so kudos an analyzing the fit of each player/team.
But if I'm Philly, I feel like I'm getting the shortest piece of that stick. Still, it might be the best they can do, and it WOULD make them better.
This Dame situation feels overblown. Anyway he answers the question isn't going to be right. He's proven his loyalty and deserves the benefit of the doubt. But he's smart to not profess that loyalty to keep the pressure on his front office to improve the team.
(07-16-2021, 05:40 PM)Tyler Wrote: [ -> ]Let’s say you’re Norman Powell and are an unrestricted free agent. You just heard Dame demand lots of trades and threaten to leave if they don’t happen to his satisfaction. Do you sign in Portland knowing that there’s a very good chance that 1. They’ll trade you ASAP to appease Lillard, or 2. Lillard is traded and you’re stuck on a rebuilding team?
Of course I don't know him, but I would guess it is a totally different thing that is driving Powell - size of the bag. He will sign with the team offering most money.
Maybe a weird idea, but how about John Collins to Portland, McCollum to the Mavs, and Maxi and Brunson to Atlanta?
My prediction is that Damian Lillard will be traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons plus other players/assets.
Lillard fits in what 76ers need next to Embiid--another superstar who will space the floor for Joel and will get buckets when it is needed the most. On the other hand, the 76ers fits in what Lillard is looking for--a team with championship aspirations and one who is arguably close to that goal.
Ben Simmons, notwithstanding his flaws and despite the bashing he has been receiving due to his catastrophic showing during the Conference Finals, is still viewed as a once-in-a generation talent with significant upside. He is the best and most realistically available asset and any team can offer this off-season which can approximate Dame's value to the Portland Trailblazers. Simmons also fits in what the team needs. He can improve their defense significantly. A change of scenario may also benefit him. Therefore, I think this is the most likely trade scenario that will transpire.
(07-17-2021, 07:10 AM)RedFlag41 Wrote: [ -> ]My prediction is that Damian Lillard will be traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons plus other players/assets.
That would be my fav outcome. I would also love for Kawhi and others to team up in NYK. Make the East a bloodbath full of talent.
That would be a steal for Philly and an absolute disaster for Portland. Does Philly even have draft picks to trade?
(07-17-2021, 07:10 AM)RedFlag41 Wrote: [ -> ]My prediction is that Damian Lillard will be traded to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons plus other players/assets.
Lillard fits in what 76ers need next to Embiid--another superstar who will space the floor for Joel and will get buckets when it is needed the most. On the other hand, the 76ers fits in what Lillard is looking for--a team with championship aspirations and one who is arguably close to that goal.
Ben Simmons, notwithstanding his flaws and despite the bashing he has been receiving due to his catastrophic showing during the Conference Finals, is still viewed as a once-in-a generation talent with significant upside. He is the best and most realistically available asset and any team can offer this off-season which can approximate Dame's value to the Portland Trailblazers. Simmons also fits in what the team needs. He can improve their defense significantly. A change of scenario may also benefit him. Therefore, I think this is the most likely trade scenario that will transpire.
I don't hate the idea but if I were Portland, I'd probably involve a third team or look to flip Simmons for assets and just start the rebuild process. Shopping CJ at that point makes a lot of sense too.
(07-17-2021, 05:03 PM)omahen Wrote: [ -> ]https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1416516620260810753
Big fan of Will the Thrill but he just gets injured too damned much. Maybe the Nuggs and his agent have a long term deal worked out to save themselves money and give him security. I probably wouldn't give him a starting salary for what he is opting out of at this stage in his career.
Honestly...The Mavs have a long way to go before they can match teams like the Suns or Bucks. Intensity, versatility and agressive schemes on defense. More often than not the worst defender on the floor would still be the best or at least a top 3 defender on the Mavs. Same for the offense. Bigs with touch around the rim. Multiple guards/wings with insane shot making ability.
The Mavs have Luka. Even if he is the best player on the floor the opposing team would have the next 3-4. Suns with CP3, Booker, Ayton, Bridges. Could even make a case for Crowder. Bucks with Giannis, Holiday and Middleton. To a lesser degree Tucker and Lopez.
CP3 looks done. They are attacking him even on defense. Holiday outplaying CP3 is the story of the game, if the Bucks win.
Hope he opts out, and the Suns are forced to pay him 100/3. Or the Knicks paying him
