The Portland Trail Blazers have a tough decision to make this summer, though they have already made their intentions fairly clear. While many believe the team should look to rebuild, Portland seems intent on competing with Damian Lillard.
With the third pick and Anfernee Simons available to them as trade bait, the Blazers have a serious chance to pair Lillard with a star. But that could be a mistake.
Is it possible for the Trail Blazers to concoct a championship-caliber team around Lillard this offseason? Maybe. Is it likely? Not at all.
Instead, they should look to trade Lillard and begin a rebuild, as they have some amazing young pieces. Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and the third pick are enough to create one of the more intriguing young cores in the league.
Lillard has been very vocal about potential trade destinations this summer, adding fuel to the fire of a potential trade. He’s even mentioned some teams he may want to go to.
4 potential Damian Lillard trades no one is talking about
During an appearance on Showtime’s “The Last Stand,” Lillard mentioned the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets as teams he wouldn’t mind being traded to.
“Miami is the obvious one. Bam is my dog,” Lillard said. “Brooklyn is another obvious one because Mikal Bridges is my dog too. Both have capable rosters.”
The Boston Celtics and New York Knicks were also mentioned as potential destinations, but Lillard turned his head up at the idea of joining the Celtics.
With those four teams cemented as the most likely scenarios (or, in Boston’s case, a team that has simply been mentioned), what other teams could look to get in on the Lillard sweepstakes should he hit the trade market?
Here are four potential Lillard trades that are currently flying under the radar.
Under-the-radar trade destination No. 1: Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic showed a ton of improvement this past season, headlined by the play of NBA Rookie of the Year winner Paolo Banchero. If they feel ready to take a leap, they have a great package to offer the Blazers.
There were rumblings this past season that the Magic were looking to add a point guard, with Fred VanVleet even mentioned as a possibility. Lillard would be a huge step up from that idea.
With Lillard, the Magic would become immediate playoff contenders in the Eastern Conference, and depending on the development of Banchero and Franz Wagner, maybe more.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers would add two more lottery picks to their pool of assets, bringing their stockpile to the third pick, the sixth pick, the 11th pick, Simons, and Sharpe.
That’s a pretty good core of young pieces to build around.
Plus, Jalen Suggs would also join the mix as a young prospect at the point guard position, as would Markelle Fultz, who is coming off a solid season in Orlando.
Jonathan Isaac would be a project player, as he can’t manage to stay on the court, but he would still be an interesting piece for Portland.
Potential starting lineups
Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson (third pick?), Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Jerami Grant (if not traded), Jusuf Nurkic
Magic: Damian Lillard, Gary Harris, Franz Wagner, Paolo Banchero, Wendell Carter Jr.
Under-the-radar trade destination No. 2: Houston Rockets
If the Houston Rockets manage to lure James Harden back to H-Town, they will need star players to roll out alongside him. Why not call up the Trail Blazers and try to get Lillard?
The backcourt tandem of Lillard and Harden may not be the best on the defensive end, but the star power alone should be enough to lead the way in Houston, especially with Ime Udoka’s defensive mind.
Houston has already been reportedly open to trading Jalen Green, so that makes sense, as does trading the fourth pick in a deal that would land them a perennial All-Star.
Giving up Tari Eason would probably sting the most for the Rockets, as he’s a solid defensive wing they could use alongside Lillard and Harden, but Portland needs players like that, too.
The Trail Blazers would get to pair Green alongside Simons and Shape, forming their new Big Three moving forward.
Adding the fourth pick would give them a chance to pick Amen Thompson, Cam Whitmore, or Ausar Thompson, too, giving them yet another elite prospect to work with.
Eason’s defensive presence would make him a great fit as well, and if they play their cards right, they could ask for a first-round pick that wouldn’t convey until Lillard and Harden have long since retired.
Potential starting lineups”
Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons, Jalen Green, Shaedon Sharpe, Tari Eason, Jusuf Nurkic
Rockets: Damian Lillard, James Harden, Jae’Sean Tate, Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun
Under-the-radar trade destination No. 3: Washington Wizards
This type of deal directly contradicts the recent report that the Washington Wizards could rebuild their roster soon, but maybe nabbing Lillard from Portland could change their mind.
The last time we saw Bradley Beal play with an All-Star-caliber point guard, the Wizards squeaked into the playoffs, thanks to Russell Westbrook. And before that, Beal and John Wall were making some noise in the East.
Lillard and Beal may not be great (or even average) on the defensive end, but the offensive firepower would be undeniable. Combined with Kristaps Porzingis, they would form a new Big Three in Washington.
Trendon Watford would also be thrown in this trade, as Portland would likely have to convince Washington to part ways with Deni Avdija. They would almost certainly ask for one of him or Corey Kispert.
Kyle Kuzma would join the Trail Blazers on a shiny new contract, and they may have to overpay him a bit to make the money match. However, with the freedom to play his game, he could improve his trade value.
Daniel Gafford could fill Portland’s void at the center position, and they could also take a chance on Johnny Davis, who had a very disappointing rookie season.
Adding the eighth pick and two future firsts would also be a huge win for the Trail Blazers.
Potential starting lineups
Trail Blazers: Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Deni Avdija, Kyle Kuzma, Daniel Gafford
Wizards: Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Corey Kispert, (free agent PF), Kristaps Porzingis
Under-the-radar trade destination No. 4:
Is it absolutely crazy to suggest that the Trail Blazers trade Lillard for CJ McCollum? Absolutely. Would it make sense for both the Trail Blazers and the New Orleans Pelicans? Yup.
McCollum has been great for the Pelicans; exactly what they needed. But there’s no denying Lillard is the better player. He would undoubtedly be an upgrade over his former co-star.
Adding Lillard as the star of the show alongside Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson could take the Pelicans from a quality playoff team to a title contender. Plus, Lillard’s ability to carry a team could help them while Williamson is sidelined, too.
For Portland, keeping McCollum might not be the best idea if they are headed for a rebuild. In this case, a third team, such as the Memphis Grizzlies or Los Angeles Clippers, could probably get involved and take him off their hands.
Dyson Daniels would be a nice pick-up for the Blazers, as the 6-foot-8 young guard is oozing potential and would slot in nicely alongside Simons and Sharpe.
Adding the 14th pick in the draft would give Portland a chance to bring in a second lottery talent (in addition to the third pick), while the three future firsts would help set them up nicely moving forward.
Potential starting lineups
Trail Blazers: Scoot Henderson (?), Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Trendon Watford (?), Jusuf Nurkic
Pelicans: Damian Lillard, Brandon Ingram, Herb Jones, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas