2021-22 NBA Off-season Thread

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

I am just an outsider like everyone else here but my sense is that if Lillard is getting traded, he, and not the team is choosing the destination along with the people he will be teaming up with when the deal is closed. For all we know, the deal is effectively done (agreed to between Lillard and his new superstar teammates) assuming the suits can work out the details.

Its also possible that the Blazers may see more value in finding the best trade partner regardless of Dame's wishes though as HRB & others will point out the cost of that could be catastrophic for a team like Portland that isn't a destination.

 

[Jimbodandy]

Glad somebody gets it and understands I'm not destroying my limited credibility with these fake-Laker trades.

You had me at Kuzma.

 

[cheech13]

It is amazing to me that the Blazers didn't fire Olshey, just baffling. He's not a particularly good GM, and the idea that you come out of this season and let him declare it a coach problem when Dame has been dropping hints for weeks that the roster has consistently been not good enough (it hasn't been) is wild. Now you have Olshey claiming the roster is good, hiring his guy for coach despite bad PR, botching the PR as badly as possible, doubling down on how everyone should just trust him based on his decades of mediocrity.... just dumb.

Agree with most of this but Billups was Dame’s guy, not Olshey’s. He put pressure on the FO to hire him and only started distancing himself once the backlash started. Unless he was just playing 3D chess and pushed Billups as a way to orchestrate a way out, but that doesn’t seem to be his nature.

 

[pjheff]

Agree with most of this but Billups was Dame’s guy, not Olshey’s. He put pressure on the FO to hire him and only started distancing himself once the backlash started. Unless he was just playing 3D chess and pushed Billups as a way to orchestrate a way out, but that doesn’t seem to be his nature.

I thought he wanted Kidd.

“Jason Kidd is the guy I want,” Lillard told Yahoo Sports on Friday night.

https://sports.yahoo.com/damian-lillard-on-portlands-head-coach-opening-jason-kidd-is-the-guy-i-want-043651102.html

 

[HomeRunBaker]

He would be a great fit on MIA.


Herro, sign and traded Robinson, Achiuwa, Iguodala (to make the money work), picks

Butler and Bam are waiting on a top max guy. I was thinking it could be Kawhi with that space but Lillard is probably a better fit with Kawhi and Butler being kinda redundant to a degree on top of missing some/all of next season.

 

[Cellar-Door]

Agree with most of this but Billups was Dame’s guy, not Olshey’s. He put pressure on the FO to hire him and only started distancing himself once the backlash started. Unless he was just playing 3D chess and pushed Billups as a way to orchestrate a way out, but that doesn’t seem to be his nature.

Kidd was his guy. Reporting out of POR was that Olshey wanted Billups from the jump and ownership caved to him.

 

[Devizier]

Herro, sign and traded Robinson, Achiuwa, Iguodala (to make the money work), picks

That’s a trash package compared to Simmons. Not even sure if it’s as good as Wiseman on his own.

 

[Mystic Merlin]

I don’t see how LAL could make a winning bid. What are they gonna offer, Schroder in a S/T, with KCP and/or Kuzma?

 

[nighthob]

I'm starting to get the trainwreck-unfolding-in-slow-motion vibe from the Billups saga in Portland.

I'm starting to get the Damian Lillard threatens to go Full Frontal Harden on the Blazers unless they trade him vibe.

 

[nighthob]

He would be a great fit on MIA.


Herro, sign and traded Robinson, Achiuwa, Iguodala (to make the money work), picks

Miami doesn't have enough picks to make that smorgasbord of suck palatable. There are going to be much better offers available from Golden State and Philly. Heck, from the alleged four teams even the Knicks could cobble together a better offer.

 

[128]

View: https://twitter.com/jboucek/status/1416100297127211012

 

[cheech13]

Kidd was his guy. Reporting out of POR was that Olshey wanted Billups from the jump and ownership caved to him.

Dame cited Kidd and Billups from the get-go, but Haynes put Kidd front and center in his piece (likely due to his ties to Kidd’s agent). When Kidd pulled out, it was clear Billups was the guy, but then Dame changed tune when the Twitter mob came at him for supporting a suspected rapist. It’s been an ugly, drama filled offseason.

 

[Euclis20]

I'm starting to get the Damian Lillard threatens to go Full Frontal Harden on the Blazers unless they trade him vibe.

He'd have to, as he's signed for 4 more years so there's no reason for the Blazers to move quickly unless they are blown away with an offer. Harden had less than 2 guaranteed years left on his deal when Houston moved him, a pretty key difference I think.

 

[the moops]

That’s a trash package compared to Simmons. Not even sure if it’s as good as Wiseman on his own.

Compared to Simmons, I would agree. But if POR is trying to stay competetive, Wiseman does absolutely nothing for them. Plus they would have to take on Wiggins.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Compared to Simmons, I would agree. But if POR is trying to stay competetive, Wiseman does absolutely nothing for them. Plus they would have to take on Wiggins.

Why would Portland try to remain competitive if they moved on from Dame? They should do a total rebuild if that's the case.

 

[the moops]

Why would Portland try to remain competitive if they moved on from Dame? They should do a total rebuild if that's the case.

Becasue not every team can just blow it up and hope to survive. I don't know if that's the case, but if they get Simmons + Thybule + picks from PHI, for instance, they most assuredly aren't blowing it up

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Becasue not every team can just blow it up and hope to survive. I don't know if that's the case, but if they get Simmons + Thybule + picks from PHI, for instance, they most assuredly aren't blowing it up

No, but with Wiseman they might. That might be the better option too. Unless you want to be Pacers West.

 

[Lazy vs Crazy]

Why would Portland try to remain competitive if they moved on from Dame? They should do a total rebuild if that's the case.

I've seen a number of people saying Allen is going to sell and wants to keep the value high. A playoff team is probably worth moore than a rebuilding team, but I guess it depends on what the buyer is looking for. Do they prefer immediate playoff gates or do they want to build their own team?

 

[Cellar-Door]

If Portland trades Dame their best course of action is probably to trade CJ, Dame and anything else and try to get 1-2 good young pieces and a ton of picks.

 

[Average Game James]

View: https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1416136635939319810?s=20


Stein tweet: “Damian Lillard says after
@usabasketball practice that reports he has plans to soon request a trade are "not true."

 

[Average Game James]

View: https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1416136635939319810?s=20


Stein tweet: “Damian Lillard says after
@usabasketball practice that reports he has plans to soon request a trade are "not true."

Followed up with:
View: https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1416138015462903817?s=20


There has been "no firm decision on what my future will be," Lillard added. Calling for more urgency from Blazers officials in assembling a contending team, Lillard says there are "a lot of positives" in Portland but "it's not enough."

 

[128]

View: https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/1416137073686454275


As denials goes, this is about as tepid as they come.

 

[nighthob]

Dame cited Kidd and Billups from the get-go, but Haynes put Kidd front and center in his piece (likely due to his ties to Kidd’s agent). When Kidd pulled out, it was clear Billups was the guy, but then Dame changed tune when the Twitter mob came at him for supporting a suspected rapist. It’s been an ugly, drama filled offseason.

Yeah, Kidd's publicist isn't the best source on this. Lillard's been backtracking, but he Billups was one of his choices. I have a sneaking suspicion that this ends in chaos and ruin with the ownership cleaning house and Lillard demanding out.

 

[Euclis20]

"I haven't made any firm decisions on what my future will be" is the kind of thing you say when you're a free agent, or if you can opt out. Not exactly what you want to hear from the guy that is signed for $196M through 2025.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

"I haven't made any firm decisions on what my future will be" is the kind of thing you say when you're a free agent, or if you can opt out. Not exactly what you want to hear from the guy that is signed for $196M through 2025.

I’d like to see if Henry responds. Probably a simple “I stand by my sources” but he has to say something.

 

[128]

View: https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1416154009723973632


Wake up the echoes!

 

[ifmanis5]

The play-in tourney is a go for next year.
View: https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1416139921455206400

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31828709/nba-union-agree-play-tournament-format-2021-22-season-sources-say
ESPN story on NBA, NBPA agreeing on a return of the play-in tournament format for next season.

Not to be confused with the possible mid-season Simmons tournament.

 

[nighthob]

Not to be confused with the possible mid-season Simmons tournament.

Is that a mid season tournament where the loser has to trade their best player for Ben Simmons?

 

[Cesar Crespo]

Is that a mid season tournament where the loser has to trade their best player for Ben Simmons?

How would that work? Win and your done, lose and you advance to the next round?

That would actually be really interesting.

 

[JM3]

View: https://twitter.com/jboucek/status/1416100297127211012

NORED!

The BRAD coaching tree sprouting fast.

 

[ifmanis5]

Is that a mid season tournament where the loser has to trade their best player for Ben Simmons?

No but you get to wear the coveted belt for a year. Also, an Apex Mountain trophy.

 

[Light-Tower-Power]

The play-in tourney is a go for next year.
View: https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1416139921455206400

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31828709/nba-union-agree-play-tournament-format-2021-22-season-sources-say
ESPN story on NBA, NBPA agreeing on a return of the play-in tournament format for next season.

Not to be confused with the possible mid-season Simmons tournament.

Man, what could be more exciting than a tournament to determine what mediocre team gets the honor of being shredded by a top seed. I hate it so much.

 

[Tony C]

I love the play-in. Keeps lots of teams playing hard and there was some real drama this season, and the play-in games themselves were super fun -- Lakers vs Griz and then GS vs Griz. Keeps things interesting. And, arguably, in re "getting shredded," the Lakers had the upper hand on the Suns until the AD injury.

 

[Cesar Crespo]

I love the play-in. Keeps lots of teams playing hard and there was some real drama this season, and the play-in games themselves were super fun -- Lakers vs Griz and then GS vs Griz. Keeps things interesting. And, arguably, in re "getting shredded," the Lakers had the upper hand on the Suns until the AD injury.

I like it too and didn't think I would. Less teams are in full tank mode too.

 

[benhogan]

That’s a trash package compared to Simmons. Not even sure if it’s as good as Wiseman on his own.

If Blazers did a Miami or GSW deal for Dame, Olshey would move CJ

CJ for Simmons swap was kicked around a few weeks back.

 

[Devizier]

If Blazers did a Miami or GSW deal for Dame, Olshey would move CJ

CJ for Simmons swap was kicked around a few weeks back.

I mean, that’s also a bad deal.

 

[benhogan]

I mean, that’s also a bad deal.

if you're trying to do a mini-rebuild on the fly (instead of a complete teardown), getting out of 30yr old CJ and into 25yr old Ben Simmons would be attractive.

 

[Kliq]

A Dame for Kyrie trade would be pretty funny.

 

[Devizier]

if you're trying to do a mini-rebuild on the fly (instead of a complete teardown), getting out of 30yr old CJ and into 25yr old Ben Simmons would be attractive.

It’s a great deal for Portland. It’s Philly that’s getting shafted. I know people are down on Simmons but they are wildly undervaluing him, especially for a rebuilding team that wouldn’t mind having him under contract.

 

[RedOctober3829]

View: https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1416483113585319942?s=21

 

[wade boggs chicken dinner]

Will Barton opts-out. Seems likely to resign with DEN for multi-year contract (apparently DEN has no really good way to replace him) but may help to keep Fournier's price down. Maybe.

https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2021/07/what-will-barton-opting-out-means-for-celtics-and-evan-fourniers-free-agency-market.html

 

[Sam Ray Not]

View: https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1418257793518276609

 

[Conigliaro's Potential]

Quelle surprise.

 

[128]

View: https://twitter.com/TheSteinLine/status/1417174628389167112

 

[RedOctober3829]

View: https://twitter.com/jakelfischer/status/1418946068054741002?s=21

 

[RedOctober3829]

View: https://twitter.com/jdumasreports/status/1418976724306386944?s=21

 

[nighthob]

Now *that’s* the shit we want to hear.

 

[JCizzle]

It's all well and good he wants Boston, but I'm not trading Brown for him.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

View: https://twitter.com/jdumasreports/status/1418976724306386944?s=21

Hey guys! Does anyone here know of a realtor in the DC area? I’m asking for a friend.

Sincerely,
JB

 

[the moops]

Jaylen Brown has more value than Beal, right? Signed to a good contract, 3 years younger, etc.

So, what is WAS adding to get Brown if that is the deal?