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4 Players who could be the ‘needle-movers’ Lillard wants to bring to Blazers

By Andrew Hanlon

Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns (left), Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns (left), Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Draymond Green has been linked to Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers.
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors (left), Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

3. Draymond Green

Green is another USA Basketball pal of Lillard’s, and although the Warriors star is on the downside of his career at age 33, would instantly upgrade Portland’s abysmal defense.

Despite not racking up stellar statistics or being any kind of scoring threat, Draymond is the glue that held four championship teams together in Golden State. He was the defensive anchor and a significant offensive fulcrum for one of the best teams of the 2000s.

Green’s antics aren’t particularly enjoyed by most of the NBA world – punching teammates and hitting LeBron James where it hurts most during the NBA finals, for example – but there’s no denying his impact on winning.

Lillard was there in support of Draymond after he stomped on Domantas Sabonis during this year’s first-round series against the Sacramento Kings, for which he was suspended.

https://twitter.com/Dame_Lillard/status/1648180722535129089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1648180722535129089%7Ctwgr%5E5019525e1b073777ad4144fc64b2c34c9bcbc119%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fnba%2F2023%2F04%2F18%2Fdamian-lillard-draymond-green-stomp-domantas-sabonis

Draymond was even invited to Lillard’s wedding.

The Blazers could attempt to work out a sign-and-trade for Green if they choose to this offseason.