Trade for Dame?

Dame trade: would you pull the trigger?

  • Yes, if the offer is Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams, Payton Pritchard, Luke Kornet, salar

    Votes: 116 42.6%
  • Yes, if the offer is Malcolm Brogdon, Derrick White, three future first round picks

    Votes: 28 10.3%
  • Yes, if the offer is Jaylen Brown- who’d likely be going to a different destination

    Votes: 47 17.3%
  • Yes, if the offer is Derrick White, Robert Williams, Malcolm Brogdon and three 1st round picks

    Votes: 24 8.8%
  • No, all those options are too much for a defensively challenged 33-year.

    Votes: 132 48.5%

  • Total voters
    272

jon abbey

Shanghai Warrior
Moderator
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
71,477
I asked this earlier, but why can't MIA offer swaps in 2024 and 2026?
“ Miami currently owes a 2025 first-round pick to Oklahoma City that simultaneously encumbers all of their first-round picks between 2024-2027 due to a combination of protections and the Stepien Rule. That means, for the time being, the Heat are limited to just two tradable first-round picks.”
 

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,380
There's a human/ego element here too: everyone has been saying what a joke Miami's offer would be for a player of Lillard's caliber, and I highly doubt that the Portland front office wants to be a laughingstock.
And the fact that if you trade for assets that far out, you’re basically setting up the next GM. Cronin knows he needs something to show for this trade in the near-term. The team is not likely to be good for a while. If you combine that with a sub-optimal return, that’s an easy decision for ownership.
 

the moops

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 19, 2016
4,857
Saint Paul, MN
“ Miami currently owes a 2025 first-round pick to Oklahoma City that simultaneously encumbers all of their first-round picks between 2024-2027 due to a combination of protections and the Stepien Rule. That means, for the time being, the Heat are limited to just two tradable first-round picks.”
The pick swap is the way around the Stepien, right? They will still have a first round pick so long as the swap is with a team that will definitely have a pick in those years
 

Auger34

used to be tbb
SoSH Member
Apr 23, 2010
9,947
The pick swap is the way around the Stepien, right? They will still have a first round pick so long as the swap is with a team that will definitely have a pick in those years
I believe because the pick they traded OKC is a protected pick, the protection limits their ability to swap
 

the moops

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 19, 2016
4,857
Saint Paul, MN
I believe because the pick they traded OKC is a protected pick, the protection limits their ability to swap
They should definitely be able to swap 2024. And if the pick they owe OKC in 2025 (top 14 protected) does not convey, they owe their 2026 unprotected to them. Feel like they can offer a swap in 2024 and a swap in 2026 (which the 2026 swap becomes a swap in 2025 if it fall outside the lottery)
 

InstaFace

The Ultimate One
SoSH Member
Sep 27, 2016
22,436
Pittsburgh, PA
"if the other trade conveys, you get a swap the next year, if it doesn't convey, you get a swap this year" still would fly, no?
 

wade boggs chicken dinner

Member
SoSH Member
Mar 26, 2005
31,064
The pick swap is the way around the Stepien, right? They will still have a first round pick so long as the swap is with a team that will definitely have a pick in those years
I believe they can swap 2024 but it's basically worthless if they get Dame.

They can't swap 2026 because that pick might be owed to OKC (if 2025 doesn't convey).

https://www.thescore.com/nba/news/2663773

"if the other trade conveys, you get a swap the next year, if it doesn't convey, you get a swap this year" still would fly, no?
I've never seen any trade formulation like this but I can't find anything that would prevent it. However, swapping a top-14 protected pick would seem to have little real value as well.
 
Last edited:

PRabbit

New Member
Apr 3, 2022
119
Voted no, the perimeter D would take too much of a hit with Smart AND White gone, and I wouldn't be willing to sacrifice the potential for cheap rotation players on rookie contracts (picks) either.
 

JM3

often quoted
SoSH Member
Dec 14, 2019
15,883
Yea that's where I am at with this.

2024 swap. 2025 or 2026 swap depending on which year conveys
Portland also owes Chicago a top 14 protected 1st in '24 which makes a pick swap even a little bit less valuable than it would be otherwise.
 

the moops

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 19, 2016
4,857
Saint Paul, MN
Portland also owes Chicago a top 14 protected 1st in '24 which makes a pick swap even a little bit less valuable than it would be otherwise.
Oh no doubt. I am not arguing the value of the picks, just that I think they can get to 4 swaps and 2 firsts
 

JM3

often quoted
SoSH Member
Dec 14, 2019
15,883
Oh no doubt. I am not arguing the value of the picks, just that I think they can get to 4 swaps and 2 firsts
Yeah, I agree. I think I mentioned the same swaps in my initial post on what I thought the Heat could offer.

I hadn't seen much on that Blazers pick to Chicago, though, & I think to some extent it could impact their strategy regarding this upcoming season.

2024 first round draft pick to Chicago
Portland's 1st round pick to Chicago protected for selections 1-14 in 2024, 1-14 in 2025, 1-14 in 2026, 1-14 in 2027 and 1-14 in 2028; if Portland has not conveyed a 1st round pick to Chicago by 2028, then Portland will instead convey its 2028 2nd round pick to Chicago [Chicago-Portland, 8/28/2021]
It's also probably a part of the reason they have limited avenues to try to build up their team around Dame.
 

InstaFace

The Ultimate One
SoSH Member
Sep 27, 2016
22,436
Pittsburgh, PA
What an absolute mess of a deal. You want lottery protection, fine. But rolling it over for FIVE YEARS?! At some point, just convert it to equivalent value and stop hamstringing yourself. And make that point, like, 2 years. Odds are, you won't still be the GM then anyways.
 

RedOctober3829

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
55,660
deep inside Guido territory
With the new CBA, I’m coming around on a Brown for Dame trade. Windows to win titles with specific groups are going to be shorter now. I think for a 2-3 year window JT/DL/KP gives the Celtics a better chance to win a title. A starting 5 of White/Lillard/Tatum/Horford/KP is arguably the best in the league.
 

Toe Nash

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 28, 2005
5,655
02130
Couple additional thoughts:
-After looking at the stats and some of the posts above I don't think you can just handwave Lillard's defense away by saying he was on a bad team and he'd get better here. Probably he'd be somewhat better, but Brad had better be damn sure. I'd want to know more about what he is particularly bad at as well and how that would be hidden be the scheme or better supporting cast or coaching. But in the abstract I'd much rather have a +3.5 guy who's average on defense and is 26 years old (Jaylen) than a +4 guy who's well below average on defense and is 33 considering we already have two stars who are pluses on both sides of the ball.
-An aside, I loathe the Stepien rule. If a GM wants to be stupid they should be allowed as the remedy is firing them. We don't need extra rules which make it harder for good GMs to make deals (and that can be gotten around anyway). If a trade is too lopsided the commissioner can always veto it.
 

moondog80

heart is two sizes two small
SoSH Member
Sep 20, 2005
8,312
-An aside, I loathe the Stepien rule. If a GM wants to be stupid they should be allowed as the remedy is firing them. We don't need extra rules which make it harder for good GMs to make deals (and that can be gotten around anyway). If a trade is too lopsided the commissioner can always veto it.
100% yes. Ideally there would be no rule at all (the NFL seems to do OK without it), but if you insist on not letting teams dig themselves into too deep a hole, just keep it simple with "you can't trade any pick more than (say) six years out".
 

lars10

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 31, 2007
12,051
With the new CBA, I’m coming around on a Brown for Dame trade. Windows to win titles with specific groups are going to be shorter now. I think for a 2-3 year window JT/DL/KP gives the Celtics a better chance to win a title. A starting 5 of White/Lillard/Tatum/Horford/KP is arguably the best in the league.
Can’t help but feel that all this talk about Lillard is a little bit grass is always greener.. if you switch Brown and Lillard in your lineup.. how much worse are they? And how is it not a longer window?

Has Lillard won anything in the playoffs? And if it’s because he’s been on awful teams.. then won’t his numbers go down to what we already have in brown anyway on a better team?

I guess I don’t quite get the cap implications.. but trading a player in his prime for one on the wrong side of 30 seems like a mistake straight up .. but wouldn’t Portland be asking for more than just Brown?
 

RorschachsMask

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2011
5,533
Lynn
Sam Amick: “ The message being sent to teams — ‘don’t come for him if he doesn’t want to be there.’ Now I think there’s a gray area there. I do actually think and I kinda hinted this in what I wrote the other day. You know, I do think Miami’s the only place he’s prepared to play for. But when he asked for the trade on Saturday morning, my understanding is that, you know, somewhat expectedly there was a flood of reaction from around the league including not just teams that are trying to figure out what the situation was with star players — we know this is how the league functions, like players picking up the phone calling and saying, ‘come here, come there’ — and I think maybe there is a pathway to one or two other spots where maybe he changes his mind. I don’t know where those are at this point.”
 

bosockboy

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
20,185
St. Louis, MO
Can’t help but feel that all this talk about Lillard is a little bit grass is always greener.. if you switch Brown and Lillard in your lineup.. how much worse are they? And how is it not a longer window?

Has Lillard won anything in the playoffs? And if it’s because he’s been on awful teams.. then won’t his numbers go down to what we already have in brown anyway on a better team?

I guess I don’t quite get the cap implications.. but trading a player in his prime for one on the wrong side of 30 seems like a mistake straight up .. but wouldn’t Portland be asking for more than just Brown?
His prime ran squarely against a Warriors dynasty.
 

Euclis20

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 3, 2004
8,393
Imaginationland
His prime ran squarely against a Warriors dynasty.
This is part of the reason for it, but to say Lillard's Blazers put up no resistance would be an understatement. No great shame in going 0-3 against the dynasty Warriors in the playoffs, but the Blazers were barely a speed bump for them, winning just 1 game total in those 3 series. And this wasn't the Durant Warriors - KD played in just 2 of those 13 games. OKC/HOU/LAC can say they ran into the buzzsaw that was the Warriors for much of the last decade, but Portland really can't use that as an excuse. Toronto put up more resistance against Lebron's Cavs during the same period.
 

ElUno20

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 19, 2005
6,205
This is part of the reason for it, but to say Lillard's Blazers put up no resistance would be an understatement. No great shame in going 0-3 against the dynasty Warriors in the playoffs, but the Blazers were barely a speed bump for them, winning just 1 game total in those 3 series. And this wasn't the Durant Warriors - KD played in just 2 of those 13 games. OKC/HOU/LAC can say they ran into the buzzsaw that was the Warriors for much of the last decade, but Portland really can't use that as an excuse. Toronto put up more resistance against Lebron's Cavs during the same period.
This all reminds me how much i hate the warriors and will enjoy steph trying to carry old ass klay and dray to no success.
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
35,150
Can’t help but feel that all this talk about Lillard is a little bit grass is always greener.. if you switch Brown and Lillard in your lineup.. how much worse are they? And how is it not a longer window?

Has Lillard won anything in the playoffs? And if it’s because he’s been on awful teams.. then won’t his numbers go down to what we already have in brown anyway on a better team?

I guess I don’t quite get the cap implications.. but trading a player in his prime for one on the wrong side of 30 seems like a mistake straight up .. but wouldn’t Portland be asking for more than just Brown?
It's not going to happen likely because contracts make no sense, but you're either wildly over estimating Jaylen or underestimating Lillard. Sure Jaylen is in his prime, bu he's a much worse player than Dame. Dame would have to fall off a cliff while Jaylen improved for it to get close. Given the length of windows (and Tatum's contract) you generally have 2-3 years. Dame is a very good bet to increase your title odds each of those years.

This is part of the reason for it, but to say Lillard's Blazers put up no resistance would be an understatement. No great shame in going 0-3 against the dynasty Warriors in the playoffs, but the Blazers were barely a speed bump for them, winning just 1 game total in those 3 series. And this wasn't the Durant Warriors - KD played in just 2 of those 13 games. OKC/HOU/LAC can say they ran into the buzzsaw that was the Warriors for much of the last decade, but Portland really can't use that as an excuse. Toronto put up more resistance against Lebron's Cavs during the same period.
The Warriors were a lot better than the LeBron Cavs most years.
Dame doesn't have much playoff success, but being the best player on a team going against the best team ever constructed with no teammates who would make the other team's top 6 is tough, and not really indicative of future success as the #2 on the most talented roster in the league
 

cheech13

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 5, 2006
1,615
This is part of the reason for it, but to say Lillard's Blazers put up no resistance would be an understatement. No great shame in going 0-3 against the dynasty Warriors in the playoffs, but the Blazers were barely a speed bump for them, winning just 1 game total in those 3 series. And this wasn't the Durant Warriors - KD played in just 2 of those 13 games. OKC/HOU/LAC can say they ran into the buzzsaw that was the Warriors for much of the last decade, but Portland really can't use that as an excuse. Toronto put up more resistance against Lebron's Cavs during the same period.
The starting lineup included Mo Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu and Enes Kanter. A year later these guys weren’t even in NBA rotations. The fact that he drug that team to the Western Conference Finals was a miracle in and of itself.
 

Euclis20

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 3, 2004
8,393
Imaginationland
The Warriors were a lot better than the LeBron Cavs most years.
Dame doesn't have much playoff success, but being the best player on a team going against the best team ever constructed with no teammates who would make the other team's top 6 is tough, and not really indicative of future success as the #2 on the most talented roster in the league
The starting lineup included Mo Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu and Enes Kanter. A year later these guys weren’t even in NBA rotations. The fact that he drug that team to the Western Conference Finals was a miracle in and of itself.
These are both true, he's mostly had pretty mediocre teammates. My only point is to throw some cold water on the idea of him as a playoff killer, because he's only ever really done it in the 1st round. He's never won a game beyond the 2nd round, and his one trip to the WCF was after beating the baby Nuggets in their first playoff run (Jokic was 23, Murray was 21). There has only been a handful of series ending shots ever and he has two of them, but they were both in the first round against unremarkable opponents.

I picked the "no" option in the poll, because it's too much of a step back defensively to swap for Jaylen and the other trades just kill our depth for an older injury prone small guard (a week ago I might have thought differently, but it's a different story now with most of the FAs gone) when we already have an injury prone acquisition in KP. The best argument I can see for acquiring him is to keep him away from Miami (Dame/Butler/Bam is a terrifying, well-rounded trio), but when you're already a title contender, you don't make franchise altering moves just to hurt one of your competitors.
 

HomeRunBaker

bet squelcher
SoSH Member
Jan 15, 2004
30,632
They should definitely be able to swap 2024. And if the pick they owe OKC in 2025 (top 14 protected) does not convey, they owe their 2026 unprotected to them. Feel like they can offer a swap in 2024 and a swap in 2026 (which the 2026 swap becomes a swap in 2025 if it fall outside the lottery)
What value does a 2024 swap have for the Blazers though? This is a non-factor and I'd guess 2026 isn't much better but at least carries "some" chance of conveying.
 

JM3

often quoted
SoSH Member
Dec 14, 2019
15,883
3-team swap trades seems like a new market inefficiency. Like if the Blazers are trying to maximize value, the '24 Heat swap could have value to teams like the Nuggets/Celtics/Bucks so they get the swap & kick a minor asset to the Blazers.
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
35,150
These are both true, he's mostly had pretty mediocre teammates. My only point is to throw some cold water on the idea of him as a playoff killer, because he's only ever really done it in the 1st round. He's never won a game beyond the 2nd round, and his one trip to the WCF was after beating the baby Nuggets in their first playoff run (Jokic was 23, Murray was 21). There has only been a handful of series ending shots ever and he has two of them, but they were both in the first round against unremarkable opponents.

I picked the "no" option in the poll, because it's too much of a step back defensively to swap for Jaylen and the other trades just kill our depth for an older injury prone small guard (a week ago I might have thought differently, but it's a different story now with most of the FAs gone) when we already have an injury prone acquisition in KP. The best argument I can see for acquiring him is to keep him away from Miami (Dame/Butler/Bam is a terrifying, well-rounded trio), but when you're already a title contender, you don't make franchise altering moves just to hurt one of your competitors.
Definitely agree his playoff rep is overstated based on a few shots.

I'm not particularly concerned about depth after a non-jaylen trade though. You need 7 or 8 guys you trust.
Post trade you'd be looking at Porzingis, Tatum, Dame, White, Jaylen, Horford, Grant Hauser.
Yeah you'd like 1 more ball handler but you're not in bad shape, As to injuries.. If one of your top 2 gets hurt you lose, same as every NBA team.
 

nighthob

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
12,728
They should definitely be able to swap 2024. And if the pick they owe OKC in 2025 (top 14 protected) does not convey, they owe their 2026 unprotected to them. Feel like they can offer a swap in 2024 and a swap in 2026 (which the 2026 swap becomes a swap in 2025 if it fall outside the lottery)
A ‘24 pick swap with a title contender when you’re a lottery team has zero value. Who gives a shit if you have the ability to swap your lottery pick for a selection in the 25-30 range?
 

the moops

Member
SoSH Member
Jan 19, 2016
4,857
Saint Paul, MN
A ‘24 pick swap with a title contender when you’re a lottery team has zero value. Who gives a shit if you have the ability to swap your lottery pick for a selection in the 25-30 range?
Holy shit folks. I already said like 5 times, I wasn't arguing the value, I was replying to someone who said that their 2024 and 2026 picks were not eligible to be swapped
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 24, 2002
49,019
The starting lineup included Mo Harkless, Al-Farouq Aminu and Enes Kanter. A year later these guys weren’t even in NBA rotations. The fact that he drug that team to the Western Conference Finals was a miracle in and of itself.
Portland has repeatedly failed to surround Lillard with any real NBA talent and especially the sort that accentuates his strengths while covering his defense. Its not their fault they never drafted a Draymond Green but they consistently cheaped out around Dame and now we get all these takes that he isn't that good.

Dame Lillard is a significantly better basketball player than Jaylen Brown. People can disagree but most people who follow the league and, more importantly, just about any stats back this up.
 
Last edited:

Euclis20

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 3, 2004
8,393
Imaginationland
Dame Lillard is has been a significantly better basketball player than Jaylen Brown. People can disagree but most people who follow the league and, more importantly, just about any stats back this up.
It's absolutely inarguable that Lillard has been better thus far (and is a better style fit with Tatum), but it's more than a remote possibility that Jaylen Brown (6 years younger, more durable and a borderline top 20 player) will better than Lillard as soon as this coming season, and for sure will be better at some point in the next 2-4 years.
 

Cellar-Door

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 1, 2006
35,150
It's absolutely inarguable that Lillard has been better thus far (and is a better style fit with Tatum), but it's more than a remote possibility that Jaylen Brown (6 years younger, more durable and a borderline top 20 player) will better than Lillard as soon as this coming season, and for sure will be better at some point in the next 2-4 years.
Pretty remote this year, 4 years sure could be, but by then most of this roster will be gone, potentially including Tatum if they don't win a ring.
 

ManicCompression

Member
SoSH Member
May 14, 2015
1,420
-An aside, I loathe the Stepien rule. If a GM wants to be stupid they should be allowed as the remedy is firing them. We don't need extra rules which make it harder for good GMs to make deals (and that can be gotten around anyway). If a trade is too lopsided the commissioner can always veto it.
The Stepien rule isn't there to prevent GMs from doing stupid things, it's there for the owners. Ted Stepien was a Cavs owner who made a series of comedically awful trades and nearly killed basketball in Cleveland.

It would not be a good thing for the commissioner to wave his finger in the air and veto trades consistently on a whim. Having a hard and fast rule is considerably a better idea and it prevents owners like Dolan etc. from acting on their worst impulses. It's a good rule.
 

TripleOT

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 4, 2007
7,846
I’d guess that Dame will age more like Steph Curry than Kemba. He just came off his highest ppg and highest eFG season at age 32. Lilliard will probably be a better player than JB the next two seasons, at least.
 

luckiestman

Son of the Harpy
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
32,970
It's absolutely inarguable that Lillard has been better thus far (and is a better style fit with Tatum), but it's more than a remote possibility that Jaylen Brown (6 years younger, more durable and a borderline top 20 player) will better than Lillard as soon as this coming season, and for sure will be better at some point in the next 2-4 years.
Yeah maybe. Defenses are not close to respecting JB the way they do Tatum and Lillard. It’s not clear to me JB is a superstar without playing off Tatum. I hope he is but that game 7 was really depressing and not just because he missed shots.
 

RorschachsMask

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2011
5,533
Lynn
I would expect Dame to age exceptionally well, but injuries are definitely a concern.

He was INSANE last season, I wouldn’t expect him to drop off for awhile.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

Well-Known Member
Lifetime Member
SoSH Member
Dec 24, 2002
49,019
It's absolutely inarguable that Lillard has been better thus far (and is a better style fit with Tatum), but it's more than a remote possibility that Jaylen Brown (6 years younger, more durable and a borderline top 20 player) will better than Lillard as soon as this coming season, and for sure will be better at some point in the next 2-4 years.
Nothing is for sure but its entirely possible that Jaylen Brown is better than Dame in a year or two.

I would argue that that may not matter - NBA windows are really only about two years-ish and then everything seems to shift. Jayson Tatum may not be in Boston in two years.
 

Euclis20

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 3, 2004
8,393
Imaginationland
Pretty remote this year, 4 years sure could be, but by then most of this roster will be gone, potentially including Tatum if they don't win a ring.
How about if we rephrase slightly, from "better" to "provides more value?" Brown played the same number of games (including playoffs) this year as Lillard did in the last two seasons combined. That's skewed somewhat because obviously Lillard didn't make the playoffs and the Blazers sat him down with a couple weeks left, but Lillard played just 58 games this year - are we taking the over on that next year?

I'm not seeing the fit here for either team - giving up Brown straight up (essentially) for Dame is really risky for both teams, and I think any package involving mid-career role players and future 1sts with questionable value isn't nearly enough. Maybe it beats an offer from Miami centered around Herro, but if Portland is looking beyond Miami, there has to better options than Boston. If there aren't, Portland should hold him for a few months and look to move him before the trade deadline to see whose situation changes.
 

JakeRae

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 21, 2005
8,211
New York, NY
DARKO by season in league:

View attachment 66931
One thing we should all remember when discussing Jaylen is that DARKO is an outlier among advanced metrics on him. Every other metric thinks there is a big gulf between Jaylen and Lillard whereas DARKO thinks Lillard is clearly better but not massively so. As a result, I think DARKO comparisons for Jaylen should be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism as to whether it is overvaluing him. I also recognize reasonable minds could disagree because DARKO is the only advanced metric that values Jaylen consistent with his reputation in the league.
 

RorschachsMask

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2011
5,533
Lynn
One thing we should all remember when discussing Jaylen is that DARKO is an outlier among advanced metrics on him. Every other metric thinks there is a big gulf between Jaylen and Lillard whereas DARKO thinks Lillard is clearly better but not massively so. As a result, I think DARKO comparisons for Jaylen should be viewed with a healthy dose of skepticism as to whether it is overvaluing him. I also recognize reasonable minds could disagree because DARKO is the only advanced metric that values Jaylen consistent with his reputation in the league.
Here’s LEBRON and EPM over the last three seasons, for comparisons sake.

66932
 

RorschachsMask

Member
SoSH Member
Aug 23, 2011
5,533
Lynn