2023 offseason thread

[bksballer89]

So, you want to get rid of a guy because he had a bad series...

and replace him with a guy who is likely wouldn't have been available to have a bad series?

Lmfao

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

This fucking guy…lol

He cannot stop talking out of the side of his ass.

He doesn’t want to leave Portland.

He just wants some upgrades.

If Portland came to you and asked what should we do with the No. 3 pick and Jerami Grant’s free agent deal, what do you tell them to make them into the championship-caliber team you want them to be?​

DL: I’d say whatever you guys think is best.

How important is a championship to your legacy?​

DL: I think it’s very important when you talk about how other people view me. Of course, people are going to say, “You don’t have a ring.” You see how people talk to Charles Barkley, and he’s Charles Barkley. He was a great player. Of course it’s at the top of the list for me to win a championship. I don’t train and come into seasons thinking about anything more than wanting to win it this year. Personally, I know my body of work speaks for itself. I haven’t won a championship, but I’ve won a lot of games. I’ve had three seasons in my entire career where I wasn’t a winner out of 11 seasons. There were eight seasons where we were winning, and I was performing consistently at the level I’ve performed at for 11 years. That has to mean something, especially with how I’ve been as an individual, to go along with my performance. That has to say something. A championship would mean a lot to me, but in my personal opinion, if I don’t win it, it’s not the end all, be all to me. I wouldn’t be happy with it, but I think when you talk about other people’s perception, I think it’s extremely important to my legacy. It’s extremely important to me, but my opinion of me not winning wouldn’t be the same as others.

Exclusive: Damian Lillard on Portland’s NBA Draft, Blazers decisions, his legacy, retirement

Damian Lillard discussed Portland’s upcoming NBA Draft, his Blazers legacy, retirement plans, and more with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

hoopshype.com

 

[bksballer89]

This fucking guy…lol

He cannot stop talking out of the side of his ass.

He doesn’t want to leave Portland.

He just wants some upgrades.

If Portland came to you and asked what should we do with the No. 3 pick and Jerami Grant’s free agent deal, what do you tell them to make them into the championship-caliber team you want them to be?​

DL: I’d say whatever you guys think is best.

How important is a championship to your legacy?​

DL: I think it’s very important when you talk about how other people view me. Of course, people are going to say, “You don’t have a ring.” You see how people talk to Charles Barkley, and he’s Charles Barkley. He was a great player. Of course it’s at the top of the list for me to win a championship. I don’t train and come into seasons thinking about anything more than wanting to win it this year. Personally, I know my body of work speaks for itself. I haven’t won a championship, but I’ve won a lot of games. I’ve had three seasons in my entire career where I wasn’t a winner out of 11 seasons. There were eight seasons where we were winning, and I was performing consistently at the level I’ve performed at for 11 years. That has to mean something, especially with how I’ve been as an individual, to go along with my performance. That has to say something. A championship would mean a lot to me, but in my personal opinion, if I don’t win it, it’s not the end all, be all to me. I wouldn’t be happy with it, but I think when you talk about other people’s perception, I think it’s extremely important to my legacy. It’s extremely important to me, but my opinion of me not winning wouldn’t be the same as others.

Exclusive: Damian Lillard on Portland’s NBA Draft, Blazers decisions, his legacy, retirement

Damian Lillard discussed Portland’s upcoming NBA Draft, his Blazers legacy, retirement plans, and more with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

hoopshype.com

Portland just need to make a trade. Dame just wants to play with another top 20ish player and he would be happy in Portland even if they dont win a title because at least the effort was made

 

[The Q]

Portland just need to make a trade. Dame just wants to play with another top 20ish player and he would be happy in Portland even if they dont win a title because at least the effort was made

Need someone worth that pick too though

It’s a challenge

 

[shopson67]

Who wants him?

Hard to see what DLo's market is other than a return to the Lakers. Should help them get him to a reasonable contract.

Maybe Chicago? Orlando? Spurs? Whomever loses out on FVV? Even then, DLo pursuit won't be aggressive (and team may pursue Schroder instead).

 

[shopson67]

Would be nice to have both.

When D Lo goes into the fetal position, Paul can step in and right the ship.

But, if it’s one or the other?

Stick with the younger, less broken option.

I believe this is the plan, unless the Lakers find a S&T for DLo (or CP3 goes elsewhere of course).

 

[shopson67]

Need someone worth that pick too though

It’s a challenge

Wish the Raptors weren't being so obstinate. A package with either Anunoby or Siakam would be a good fit. Don't think they can rely on Porzingis, but that could be a fall back (would need to add a bit more value). If the Clips are serious about George?

 

[shopson67]

This fucking guy…lol

He cannot stop talking out of the side of his ass.

He doesn’t want to leave Portland.

He just wants some upgrades.

If Portland came to you and asked what should we do with the No. 3 pick and Jerami Grant’s free agent deal, what do you tell them to make them into the championship-caliber team you want them to be?​

DL: I’d say whatever you guys think is best.

How important is a championship to your legacy?​

DL: I think it’s very important when you talk about how other people view me. Of course, people are going to say, “You don’t have a ring.” You see how people talk to Charles Barkley, and he’s Charles Barkley. He was a great player. Of course it’s at the top of the list for me to win a championship. I don’t train and come into seasons thinking about anything more than wanting to win it this year. Personally, I know my body of work speaks for itself. I haven’t won a championship, but I’ve won a lot of games. I’ve had three seasons in my entire career where I wasn’t a winner out of 11 seasons. There were eight seasons where we were winning, and I was performing consistently at the level I’ve performed at for 11 years. That has to mean something, especially with how I’ve been as an individual, to go along with my performance. That has to say something. A championship would mean a lot to me, but in my personal opinion, if I don’t win it, it’s not the end all, be all to me. I wouldn’t be happy with it, but I think when you talk about other people’s perception, I think it’s extremely important to my legacy. It’s extremely important to me, but my opinion of me not winning wouldn’t be the same as others.

Exclusive: Damian Lillard on Portland’s NBA Draft, Blazers decisions, his legacy, retirement

Damian Lillard discussed Portland’s upcoming NBA Draft, his Blazers legacy, retirement plans, and more with HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto.

hoopshype.com

Sounds to me like he wants the front office to do it's job to compete now if at all possible (and it should be with that #3 pick IMO), but not be the one needing to answer questions about the roster. Naming names of targets requires knowing the cap numbers and all of that, which he doesn't want to bothered with? He seems to have somewhat resigned himself to the possibility he won't get a ring.

 

[Mebert]

D'Lo's major issue is delusion. He has a surprising ability to actually facilitate and run an offense, but he believes he should be the main guy. Every step along the way for him, it does not matter how good the talent around him is, he won't facilitate, he will try and be the man. The main reason Wolves had been happy to dump him in the trade is he would not give the damn ball to Edwards.

Those that are saying Paul is no longer a better player than D'Lo, you may be right, but Paul will absolutely be better for the team. Wolves improved by going from him to Conley. Worse player at this point, but a player that is happy to elevate the stars over himself.

 

[trojanfan12]

D'Lo's major issue is delusion. He has a surprising ability to actually facilitate and run an offense, but he believes he should be the main guy. Every step along the way for him, it does not matter how good the talent around him is, he won't facilitate, he will try and be the man. The main reason Wolves had been happy to dump him in the trade is he would not give the damn ball to Edwards.

Those that are saying Paul is no longer a better player than D'Lo, you may be right, but Paul will absolutely be better for the team. Wolves improved by going from him to Conley. Worse player at this point, but a player that is happy to elevate the stars over himself.

Yeah, I don't know if a light clicked on, or if it was being on the same team as much bigger stars in Lebron and AD, but that wasn't really a problem with the Lakers. In fact, there were times where he was too reluctant to shoot.

I don't remember that being much of an issue in GSW with Steph and Klay either.

Not disputing what you say about him in Minny...he was similar in his first stint with the Lakers. But he at least seems to have enough sense to keep that under control when teamed with superstar level players.

 

[Mecca of the “B” Team]

Portland just need to make a trade. Dame just wants to play with another top 20ish player and he would be happy in Portland even if they dont win a title because at least the effort was made

Yup.

Im just shocked that he considers making the playoffs “ winning “.

I gotta tell ya, doesn’t feel that way as a Clippers fan…lol

 

[thunderc]

The Thunder approve this message

 

[Mebert]

Yeah, I don't know if a light clicked on, or if it was being on the same team as much bigger stars in Lebron and AD, but that wasn't really a problem with the Lakers. In fact, there were times where he was too reluctant to shoot.

I don't remember that being much of an issue in GSW with Steph and Klay either.

Not disputing what you say about him in Minny...he was similar in his first stint with the Lakers. But he at least seems to have enough sense to keep that under control when teamed with superstar level players.

Maybe it was specific to Minnesota, but the main reason outside of his ridiculous contract demands was his refusal to include Edwards in the the flow of the offense. He was putting up some of the better stats of his career while the team was not better with him on the floor. The only player I will be more excited to see leave than him is his best buddy KAT.

 

[shopson67]

Maybe it was specific to Minnesota, but the main reason outside of his ridiculous contract demands was his refusal to include Edwards in the the flow of the offense. He was putting up some of the better stats of his career while the team was not better with him on the floor. The only player I will be more excited to see leave than him is his best buddy KAT.

It could be that when he's around younger guys, he's trying to be the alpha (or thinks that should be his role). With guys like Lebron and Steph, there's no doubt that it isn't.

 

[trojanfan12]

Maybe it was specific to Minnesota, but the main reason outside of his ridiculous contract demands was his refusal to include Edwards in the the flow of the offense. He was putting up some of the better stats of his career while the team was not better with him on the floor. The only player I will be more excited to see leave than him is his best buddy KAT.

Yeah, there was definitely some of that in his first stint in LA. I think some of it is that he's not really a point guard, he's more of a combo guard/shooting guard, so his first instinct is to score.

In Minny, you had him with guys like KAT who isn't exactly a strong leader and Edwards who was emerging, but hadn't really arrived yet. D-Lo does not lack confidence (which is both good and bad), so he probably saw himself as the leader/star.

In GSW and LA, there is no disputing who the stars are which, I think, made it easier for him to accept that he wasn't the man.

 

[shopson67]

Bruce Brown has declined his $6.8M player option with the Nuggets and will become a free agent. Nuggets can offer $7.8M.

 

[Mebert]

Utah put Collin Sexton on the trade block? Dude put out a video saying multiple times "Shits nice as hell". This is literally the nicest thing any NBA player has ever said about Utah. You will never find another one that is happy to be here and you want to trade him?

 

[SpringStein]

Bruce Brown has declined his $6.8M player option with the Nuggets and will become a free agent. Nuggets can offer $7.8M.

He absolutely should. He will always be appreciated here, but to have the opportunity to sign for $50 MM or so over 4 years is deserved - and not one Nugget fan will wish him anything but the best.

 

[dtgold88]

I know the Hawks have been trying to trade Collins for a long time.

But what are they doing?

Seriously.

They needed to trade Capella for a wing to open up minutes for Okongwu.

There have to be more moves coming here.

Agree....but to be fair this is just a rumor and while a deal has gone down there is plenty of time to make others.

 

[dtgold88]

Looking at the salary pieces Portland has, Simons and Nurkic pretty much have to be in the deal. So Simons, Nurkic and Scoot (with the off chance it could also be Brandon Miller) is actually a really good haul for Paul George. If they're serious about blowing it up, they should do this deal. There's other teams out there that could put together deals with lots of picks (Knicks, Nets, for example), but from a bird in the hand talent stand point, hard to top what Portland could offer.

Not sure why anyone would try to top it....If I'm Portland I wouldn't offer that for PG.