5 Reasons a Damian Lillard trade must happen before training camp

It’s unlikely any other team goes all-in for Damian Lillard

The goal in keeping Damian Lillard on the roster heading into training camp and potential into the season revolves around the idea that another team will jump in to either outbid the Miami Heat or negotiate against them to offer a better deal. However, does this theory hold any water? What are the odds that another team would jump into the pursuit of Lillard when training camps open or even in-season? They’d have to be low.

Looking at the teams that “make sense” for Lillard, maybe the Philadelphia 76ers come around and are open to trading Tyrese Maxey? But they kind of have their own issues with James Harden right now. That seems unlikely. Would the Boston Celtics make an offer? Maybe, but I’d have to imagine they will be more focused on building chemistry with their new-look roster when training camp opens.

The New York Knicks don’t make sense as a suitor unless they’re going to trade Jalen Brunson. Would the Brooklyn Nets decide to go all-in? Maybe. Perhaps the Toronto Raptors jump in? I suppose that’s a hope. Then you have the young teams with plenty of assets, but why would any of those teams burn their foundations for a 33-year-old star?

The idea that another team is going to join the bidding war for Lillard just seems like an unlikely pipe dream. It makes even less sense for something like that to develop once the season starts.