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
A suspension is crazy . 🤷🏽♂️ https://t.co/8aNWJvarKT
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) April 19, 2023
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.