He was already last on that 75 list, I don't think he ever makes one of those again.
You're right about this, but not for the reasons you think. It would be illogical to believe that no other player will ever make that list, and with Dame being #75 he'll obviously be bumped.
The way it worked last time, each player from the previous list was included and they just added 25 new players for the last 25 years. What I am saying is that he will not be included. He was already a controversial pick, and his resume has dropped like a stone since then.
If Lillard has anything left in the tank after this, he will not sign with Portland, he will likely go to the Lakers to play with LeBron or some team he thinks will get a ring for him. I just think it would be funny to sign him now, listen to him talk about what a leader he is, and then trade him as soon as he can play again for a nice upgrade in talent. I don't actually want to sign Lillard, and I am suddenly glad they traded for Holiday. Jrue has always been a better player than Lillard, and he still is today, despite his decline. I guarantee the whole city of Milwaukee wishes they never would have traded him now. The fans in Portland should all write them a thank you letter.
Duck07 wrote: Tue Jul 01, 2025 10:52 am
For the life of me I will never understand athletic basketball players who play bad defense. The knowledge is so minimal and it's all effort
Don't got that 'dog' in 'em.
As a high school wrestler, defense/physical assault was always my best trait on a basketball court.
He was already a controversial pick, and his resume has dropped like a stone since then.
Yeah, such a massive controversy! Should he be #74, #75, or #76? He's on the list man, get over it.
His resume is virtually unchanged. His time in Milwaukee will always be remembered as him and Giannis being plagued by injuries. I think they played maybe one full playoff game together, and in that game Dame had just returned from a blood clot.
It's time to move on. Dame's probably going to a real contender. You can relax!
Duck07 wrote: Tue Jul 01, 2025 10:52 am
For the life of me I will never understand athletic basketball players who play bad defense. The knowledge is so minimal and it's all effort
Don't got that 'dog' in 'em.
As a high school wrestler, defense/physical assault was always my best trait on a basketball court.
The good old days of dominating Court 1 at the Rec in a Steve Kerr jersey and pissing Champ Oguchi off!
Update (10:33 a.m.): While making an appearance on NBA TV, Haynes also reports that the Heat and Trail Blazers could be in the mix of free agency destinations for Lillard.
"One of those teams to look out for is the Miami Heat. That was the team that was trying to trade for him when Dame did request a trade from Portland initially, so that’s one team that’s going to be in the mix. There are others as well. Throw Portland in there as well as a team that could possibly make a reunion, but it’s the early stages for him."
Wouldn't that be funny if Dame ended up in Miami alongside THE DAME PACKAGE?
Duck07 wrote: Tue Jul 01, 2025 10:52 am
For the life of me I will never understand athletic basketball players who play bad defense. The knowledge is so minimal and it's all effort
Unfortunately, most of our guys fall under that category.
Wouldn’t mind if dame came back to the blazers on a salary friendly contract and a mind set of coming off the bench+ accepts a supporting/mentoring role on the team. He genuinely loves the city of Portland and comes back often during the off season.
It's honestly hard to see him really wanting to come back especially since we just chained ourselves to Jru Holiday. But who knows. Dame's injury and his waiver are going to completely reset his salary and expectations. Just because of age, it's difficult to see him going through rehab and then coming back as the same player in 2026. He could still probably go to a contender on a vet minimum (any would be thrilled to have him) but most contenders have established point guards who probably wouldn't be benched for an aged Dame coming off of one of the worst injuries a hooper can have. The only shot he might have at being a starter might be to go to a team that isn't in contention. And at that point he might just prefer to return to Portland.
Also worth keeping in mind is that while Scoot is our "future" he also hasn't proven himself. An elder duo of Dame and Jru would be a pretty badass backcourt if Scoot doesn't pan out. Veteran presence, check. Shooting, check. All-Star floor generals on the floor at all times, check.
We'll see what happens. I'm not holding my breath. There's also a great argument to be made for simply turning the page and moving on. But personally if we can get Dame for two years on a vet minimum I think we'd be foolish not to be all over that. If it works, then great, we'd instantly be a whole lot better, and if it doesn't, then cool, it's just a minimum contract.
pezsez1 wrote: Wed Jul 02, 2025 1:10 am
It's honestly hard to see him really wanting to come back especially since we just chained ourselves to Jru Holiday. But who knows. Dame's injury and his waiver are going to completely reset his salary and expectations. Just because of age, it's difficult to see him going through rehab and then coming back as the same player in 2026. He could still probably go to a contender on a vet minimum (any would be thrilled to have him) but most contenders have established point guards who probably wouldn't be benched for an aged Dame coming off of one of the worst injuries a hooper can have. The only shot he might have at being a starter might be to go to a team that isn't in contention. And at that point he might just prefer to return to Portland.
Also worth keeping in mind is that while Scoot is our "future" he also hasn't proven himself. An elder duo of Dame and Jru would be a pretty badass backcourt if Scoot doesn't pan out. Veteran presence, check. Shooting, check. All-Star floor generals on the floor at all times, check.
We'll see what happens. I'm not holding my breath. There's also a great argument to be made for simply turning the page and moving on. But personally if we can get Dame for two years on a vet minimum I think we'd be foolish not to be all over that. If it works, then great, we'd instantly be a whole lot better, and if it doesn't, then cool, it's just a minimum contract.
Wolves, Rockets, Magic, Boston, and Spurs could have PG needs. I think he will have plenty of options. I could also see him retiring to be with his kids.
StevensTechU wrote: Mon Jul 07, 2025 11:46 am
Blazers will keep their two 2nd rounders as part of the Jrue/Anfernee trade after Holiday had some flags on his medical exam.
StevensTechU wrote: Mon Jul 07, 2025 11:46 am
Blazers will keep their two 2nd rounders as part of the Jrue/Anfernee trade after Holiday had some flags on his medical exam.
If anything, boston should have been sending portland extra draft picks before for taking holidays large contract and helping them save a huge amount next year in salary. Now we find out he’s got some medical red flags that we will be stuck with…Almost feels better to just let simons walk away for free when his contract expires.
StevensTechU wrote: Mon Jul 07, 2025 11:46 am
Blazers will keep their two 2nd rounders as part of the Jrue/Anfernee trade after Holiday had some flags on his medical exam.
If anything, boston should have been sending portland extra draft picks before for taking holidays large contract and helping them save a huge amount next year in salary. Now we find out he’s got some medical red flags that we will be stuck with…Almost feels better to just let simons walk away for free when his contract expires.
Yes. Insane that they took on that contract. Cronin can't be that stupid - he must have been doing Celtics management a favor. Last time they traded, he took injured WIlliams and injured Brogdon and now injured Holiday. Makes no sense.
Taken as a whole, Cronin had a really bad offseason in my estimation. Eating most of Ayton's contract on the reasoning that he didn't want to take back a multi-year bad contract looks pretty stupid when one considers that he did exactly that with the Jrue trade. He was all set up to make a playoff run this year, and it's like he doesn't actually want to.
He's on the list man, get over it.
