4 teams that are salivating over a Damian Lillard trade request

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Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers and Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks. Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images /

The New York Knicks want to trade for Damian Lillard

The New York Knicks have always been star hunters, dating back to the 1970s and adding Earl Monroe. Most famously, they traded for Carmelo Anthony at the height of his powers. Last offseason, after bidding for Donovan Mitchell, they backed off to avoid overpaying when their team wasn’t ready to contend yet.

That was almost certainly the right move, as the Knicks had an excellent season and beat Mitchell and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Playoffs. Now they enter the 2023 offseason with their trade assets intact, ready to find that star to add to this successful core.

Lillard has long been rumored to be on the Knicks’ radar, and the presence of Jalen Brunson shouldn’t necessarily change that. Lillard’s shooting makes him a fit next to anyone offensively, and the Knicks have a lot of defensive talent to help support a small backcourt.

The Knicks have a bevy of draft picks they can use in a trade, not to mention a number of young prospects like Quentin Grimes, Obi Toppin, Immanuel Quickley and RJ Barrett. There are a lot of different packages they can put together for Lillard, and there’s a strong chance they make an offer if Lillard is on the trade market.