Everyone knew big moves were imminent in Portland after the Trail Blazers were knocked out early in the playoffs. The only player who was considered untouchable was Damian Lillard. But after a messy head coaching search process, Lillard may end up asking, as from Chris Haynes on Yahoo! Sports.
We’re not at DEFCON 5 yet. Lillard hasn’t officially asked for a deal. But the Haynes report can be seen as a shot across the bow in the Blazers’ front office, a warning that Lillard won’t stay if they don’t find out quickly. If he does the unthinkable and asks Portland to find a new home for him, There will be no shortage of admirers for the Blazers. Here are four teams that both make sense as a landing site and can offer a suitable package for the Superstar Point Guard.
The Celts was a popular name in hypothetical Lillard trade discussions as, like the Blazers, they underperformed significantly in 2020-21. Boston needs some kind of upheaval and is entering a new era under rookie head coach Ime Udoka with a legitimate star of its own under contract Jayson Tatum. If the last five years of basketball have taught us anything, it is that players of Tatum’s caliber will not hesitate to force their way out when things don’t go well. The Celtics will avoid this possible future at all costs, and that includes considering a Lillard trade.
They have an advantage over many other teams as they have perhaps the most attractive trading piece with Jaylen Brown. Brown was All-Star for the first time this year and could expand his game even further with a bigger role. But he alone wouldn’t be enough for someone like Lillard. If Boston really wanted to close this deal, they would have to do without Brown, Marcus Smart and a young player like Aaron Neismith or Payton Pritchard in addition to some first-round picks. A high price, but that’s what it takes to get a player like Lillard. The Blazers can start over with a 24 year old stud in brown and good pieces to stay competitive. When the new GM Brad Stevens is ready to get on his feet, this is one of the best deals the Blazers can get.
Naturally. The curtsey are up to date again and a far more attractive destination for dissatisfied superstars than a year ago at this point in time. They’re crammed with cap-space, meaning they wouldn’t have to match Lillard’s $ 39 million salary of $ 39 million for 2021-22 in any possible trade. The downside for New York is that they’ll have to give up almost all of the parts that have made the team exciting and playoff-worthy this season.
A package for Lillard would start with Julius Randle and RJ Barrett. You’d probably have to throw in one of Obi Toppin, Mitchell Robinson, or Immanuel Quickley, plus two or three first-round picks. It wouldn’t provide much to Tom Thibodeau, but the takeover of Lillard with remaining cap space means the front office can revise the roster in the freelance representation. It will be much easier to convince free agents to play at MSG with a certified superstar under contract for the next four years. To do that, the Knicks would essentially have to blow up their team. But the chance of getting a guy like Lillard doesn’t come often, and the Knicks would have to think twice.
This would be a very Pat Riley move, and as such we cannot count the heat from these sweepstakes. Miami has a fascinating mix of young talent to offer Portland such as Tyler Herro and Precious Achiuwa. They all have their picks. But that would be far from enough to free Lillard from the Pacific Northwest. If the Blazers believe Victor Oladipo’s brutal year was down to his injury problems, and if Oladipo were willing to sign and trade, then a package around these three could work. In that case, Miami’s salary could match Portland’s salary and be able to close the deal while offering a decent package.
Ultimately, however, this would likely be due to Riley’s willingness to part ways with Bam Adebayo. Jimmy Butler remains in place, but Adebayo is young and has a maximum contract that will kick in shortly. With Adebayo on the table, the Blazers would likely take Adebayo, Herro, and lots of first-round picks. Miami goes ahead with Dame and Jimmy Buckets as their core, with Achiuwa filling in for Adebayo and Duncan Robinson as snipers on the wing as the Heat would definitely do anything to keep him close if they could do this. This isn’t an automatic championship contender, but it’s the kind of big momentum that Riley has built his legacy on over the years.
With all of that Ben Simmons trade talk that took place since the sixers went home for the summer, it’s only natural for them to be included here. Simmons has his known weaknesses, but he’s still an All-NBA defender averaging 7.7 assists per game for his career. Lillard, paired with Joel Embiid, is a walking contender for the Eastern Conference title and legitimate championship contender every year they are together.
In theory, it’s a deal that makes perfect sense for both parties. Simmons is probably the best building block Portland could get in exchange for its local star. When the Sixers are ready to deploy Matisse Thybulle, Tyrese Maxey, and Seth Curry, this is well worth considering for the Blazers. It would be hard for Philly to go without two All-NBA defenders, a sniper, and a good young player, but Lillard is Lillard. You would do this without thinking too long. It puts a big bet on Embiid’s health given the depth they would lose, but Daryl Morey is no stranger to such gambling.
