4 Players who could be the ‘needle-movers’ Lillard wants to bring to Blazers
4. Jaylen Brown
There’s no better player and fit – and, perhaps unfortunately, no player more difficult to acquire – than Brown.
Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, making an All-NBA team this year (which is likely) means Brown could sign an extension to remain with the Boston Celtics for $48,877,500 per season.
In all, that contract could reach five years and about $283.5 million.
It would make no sense for the 26-year-old to pass up that kind of money and security, especially considering any other NBA team would have to wait to sign Brown as a free agent and couldn’t offer him as many years or as much money.
Still, never say never, and Jaylen was linked to Lillard and the Blazers almost as soon as Portland’s season ended. The two-time All-Star was reported to be on Dame’s “proverbial list of those switchy wing-type secondary stars.”
And he should be.
Brown is an ever-improving offensive option and would be a fantastic secondary scorer next to Lillard. He’s also one of the best defensive wings in the NBA with the size, length, athleticism, and versatility to guard nearly every position on the floor.
It would be exceedingly difficult to find a player who would slide in next to Dame better than Brown.
Next. 3 Reasons the Blazers should go all-in on next season, 3 reasons they should blow it up. dark
Who knows which players Lillard was referring to when he mentioned needle-movers who wanted to join him with the Blazers, but these four could certainly be at least part of that list, and they would all make a significant impact on his chances of making a serious playoff push next season.
As Dame said, though, the hard part will be finally making a move and getting those players to Portland.