This is actually a perfect illustration of what I'm trying to convey

LMA was in the same situation with POR

They let him walk

His last season in POR, they lost in the first round of the playoffs

Yes, their regular season Ws decreased over the next couple of years

...but they won their 1st round matchup the following season...

i.e. worse is argumentative

Better is not

They obviously had a their best season in a long time this year

with Ws and playoff Ws

LMA was also entering into 30 Y.O. season around the time of the POR exit

and his numbers dipped in SAS

LMA could have been maxed by POR

they let him walk

were not worse for it, and it only took 3 years to be a better team

So why would they max Dame, given that example?

You have POR's big 3 under contract for 2 more years

I really don't understand doing it now

further, given the LMA example

I don't understand doing it at all

He could walk, and POR could be back to middling in a couple of seasons...even potentially better in a couple of years after his departure

also argumentative

What I don't think is up for debate, POR in the WCF is overachieving and not a result that will be repeated with this roster.

IRT LMA's exit from POR, it felt like they made a choice between him and Dame

given that example

Why put yourself in that position again, when you know 1 guy won't get it done?

They need CJ AND Nurkic (if he can return to full strength)

If they max Dame, and can't keep CJ AND Nurkic too...

They'll regress anyway.