… but I find it really hard to believe that a Portland blowup doesn’t start with Dame. I know he’s said he wants to be there— but is he gonna be stoked if Portland has to deal CJ, Nance, and picks for Ben Simmons? Won’t that just drive Dame out too?

I also think CJ is notably worse on defense than VanVleet. FVV is small, but he’s strong and works hard, whereas CJ is a huge net negative on that end.

I also Toronto has made it pretty clear that they’re trying to go all-size all-switchable all-length all-everything. So i bet they’re more likely to throw more pieces in— like FVV, Dragic, Boucher, picks, and maybe even Trent if Philly pushes. Toronto just seems like a place that will actually value Simmons in a similar way to Morey, whereas I don’t think Portland will at all.