Best gig in the league. Then they’ll get the #9 pick, expectations won’t change. Rinse and repeat until retirement.
Why the **** would Portland do that?
I just think he realizes that Ringz Culture ain’t worth uprooting your fam, playing second fiddle to Bron (or someone similar), catching heat for not winning titles and probably values being the face of the organization over dealing with all that. Seeing how KD was talked about after joining the Warriors (and winning) probably doesn’t help either. I don’t think they’re finessers at all. I think he just did the cost benefit analysis and said “yea I’m good”. He’s referenced how gratifying it looked for Giannis to finally get over the hump but he also isn’t Giannis.Is Dame lowkey a finesser? Not saying he isn't an elite talent and isn't worth his massive deal. I mean it in the sense that he gets the massive deal, gets to put up jumbo numbers but no one ever expects anything of his teams. In fact folks (mostly casuals) feel bad for him because of his running mates and he garners all this sympathy under the guise of loyalty. Seems like scammer-like to me. This would apply to a guy like Beal as well.
Just looked and saw his 36 year-old, Year 13 player option ('26-'27) is for $63MM
Lol think it would be more about doing right by Dame. We see that happen all the time. Plus PG and a pick can still keep them semi relevant.
. If podcasts were poppin back then you'd see Nash making his rounds spewing the same BS as Dame, he'd mention it every chance he could. Unfortunately seeing it play out the same way with Dame and all these injuries towards the end of his prime
Phoenix would always be his home, city and comfort zone. A place he built his dreams around and a place where he will have his number retired. There is still a lot of work to be done, and it's hard to let a lot of promising potential on a young roster go. They are just three wins away from the Western Conference's eighth spot in the playoffslol: ).
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Agree with all this.
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I had forgot that Bron tampered with Dame before they got Russ until someone posted it in the group chat todayThis is all fair and makes a lot of sense. You're right - I feel like as fans sometimes we get wrapped up in the Ringz Culture and don't consider these guys are real people with families, and both lives and interests outside of basketball. Kind of makes the whole concept of ring chasing to super teams in your prime seem more intense. Shows how much those guys care about winning/their legacy.
KD is single with no kids, right? Just his mom and siblings who I presume are in DC. If so, he can really shamelessly team hop with minimal impact (as he has been
. He basically says as much in this Chris Haynes puff piece. He got like 50 family members who live in Portland and he’s the man there. Plus Adidas HQ is there. Going and being the 3rd most popular guy on the Lakers ain’t even worth it, especially after they had already won one. 
sports.yahoo.com
What nobody realizes is that Dame is reading from the exact same playbook as Steve Nash. Like..to a tee. Nash kept running that same loyalty play even tho he clearly wanted out and there was nothing going on in PHX for years after their window closed. He refused to demand a trade he obviously wanted so he could avoid any backlash and by the time the Suns put him out of his misery and sent him to a would be contender he was a broken down shell of himself. Nash was one of my favorite players so I kept up with this whole saga
I had forgot that Bron tampered with Dame before they got Russ until someone posted it in the group chat today
Amid chaotic offseason, Damian Lillard's meeting with LeBron James as decision loomed sealed recommitment to Trail Blazers
Lillard's offseason decision on whether to recommit to the Trail Blazers or ask for a trade was influenced by a meeting in L.A. with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
, we make loyalty jokes but if I was a HOF/Top 75 player, I would probably rather be the face of the franchise for the team that drafted me than going to the Lakers with Bron and AD too. There is value in that too. at the trophy wife analogy.
What nobody realizes is that Dame is reading from the exact same playbook as Steve Nash. Like..to a tee. Nash kept running that same loyalty play even tho he clearly wanted out and there was nothing going on in PHX for years after their window closed. He refused to demand a trade he obviously wanted so he could avoid any backlash and by the time the Suns put him out of his misery and sent him to a would be contender he was a broken down shell of himself. Nash was one of my favorite players so I kept up with this whole saga
