The Damian Lillard commerce rumors are beginning to warmth up.
On the morning of the 2023 NBA Draft, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported that groups are “getting ready their gives” for Lillard. Why? The Path Blazers are planning to make use of their No. 3 choose as a substitute of buying and selling it and Lillard has made it clear that he does not need to be a part of “a youth motion with a younger participant in a rebuild.”
“(Groups) are already preparing ready for the second to occur,” said Windhorst. “Whether or not Lillard makes the transfer or the Blazers make the transfer, no one looks like they need to be the autumn man right here. Lillard does not need to appear to be the unhealthy man. The Blazers nonetheless are hoping to persuade him to remain, however we’ll see how lengthy they proceed with that place.”
Regardless of the curiosity from rival groups, the Blazers stay dedicated to constructing round Lillard, with common supervisor Joe Cronin issuing a statement on Tuesday after assembly with Lillard and his representatives.
“I met with Dame and Aaron Goodwin [Lillard’s agent] this afternoon. We had an ideal dialogue,” Cronin stated. “We stay dedicated to constructing a winner round Dame.”
Lillard is in his early 30s, however he is a seven-time All-Star who’s coming off of a profession yr that noticed him common 32.2 factors and seven.3 assists per recreation. Even with over $200 million remaining on his contract, there are a selection of groups round that league that may doubtless be fascinated about buying and selling for him.
Who may these groups be? Let’s check out those that take advantage of sense.
MORE: The 50 most-hyped draft prospects of all time, ranked
Damian Lillard commerce locations
Miami Warmth
It does not sound like Lillard would thoughts a transfer to South Seaside.
“Miami clearly,” Lillard responded when requested by Showtime’s Brian Custer which of the Warmth, Knicks or Nets he’d really feel the most effective about being traded to. “Miami is the plain one, and Bam [Adebayo] is my canine. Bam is my canine for actual. I imply, I feel Miami is the plain one.”
The Warmth would have a tough time placing collectively a commerce for Lillard that does not embrace Jimmy Butler or Adebayo, but when they may pull it off, the three of them would make for a dynamic trio. (The Sporting Information’ Steph Noh detailed what a possible Warmth commerce may appear to be right here.) Butler and Adebayo have already made it to the Finals twice collectively, and Lillard would add a dimension neither of these groups had with the scoring and taking pictures he gives on the level guard place.
It helps that Lillard has expertise enjoying with Adebayo — the 2 gained a gold medal collectively within the 2020 Olympics. Butler appears to need Lillard as effectively. The Athletic’s David Aldridge lately reported that Butler is a “central half” of the Warmth’s effort to recruit Lillard.
Brooklyn Nets
In the identical interview with Custer, Lillard stated the Nets are the “different apparent” crew he’d have curiosity in due to his ties with Mikal Bridges. He added that he thinks each the Warmth and Nets have “succesful rosters.”
The Nets would have extra property to pursue Lillard than the Warmth. The Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant trades helped them restock their draft picks, they may simply match wage and so they have some fascinating gamers they may provide the Path Blazers relying on what they’re in search of, from Spencer Dinwiddie, Joe Harris and Nicolas Claxton to Ben Simmons.
Dinwiddie and Harris have yet another yr remaining on their contracts, so they assist the Path Blazers clear their books. Simmons is coming off the worst season of his profession, however he’d be a buy-low choice for Portland.
Buying Lillard alone may not push the Nets to the identical degree because the Warmth, Celtics, Bucks and 76ers within the Japanese Convention, however they may nonetheless have sufficient to construct a roster round him and Bridges that is able to competing.
Toronto Raptors
By no means rule out the Raptors.
Workforce president Masai Ujiri has proven previously that he isn’t afraid to take a giant swing. It is nonetheless unclear which route the Raptors are going to take following a season by which they didn’t make the playoffs, however buying and selling for Lillard would definitely be a win-now transfer that might put them ready to compete for an additional title.
The Raptors have a lot of picks they may provide, but it surely may come right down to the supply of Scottie Barnes, who would make a number of sense for a rebuilding crew. If Barnes continues to be off the desk, then it is arduous to think about the Raptors being a sensible choice for Lillard.
A crew that includes one thing alongside the strains of Lillard, Pascal Siakam, O.G. Anunoby and Jakob Poeltl would definitely pack a punch.
New York Knicks
The Knicks are going to be an choice for any star who turns into accessible within the close to future. Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, Quentin Grimes and Obi Toppin are younger sufficient to suit on any rebuilding crew, and they’re loaded with future draft picks.
The query is that if the Knicks assume Lillard is the star value going all-in on, particularly now that they’ve Jalen Brunson, an All-Star caliber level guard who averaged 27.8 factors per recreation within the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Good as Lillard nonetheless is, it would not be an enormous shock in the event that they finally determine to take a seat this one out.
