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Damian Lillard, often regarded as one of the most loyal players in the league, might want to depart from his franchise. After a nine-year run with the Portland Trail Blazers, the sharpshooter might fancy his chances at a title at another club in the NBA. After yet another disappointing end to the NBA playoffs, the Trail Blazers fired their coach Terry Stotts.
Despite a year filled with injuries, Damian Lillard put the team on his back and displayed one of the best clutch shooting seasons ever. He carried the Portland Trail Blazers to the sixth seed in the rugged Western Conference but lost in the first round to the Jamal Murray-less Denver Nuggets. Now it feels like the six-time All-Star has had enough and wants championship-calibre talent around him. The turmoil in the front office might also lead to his departure.
Which trade packages are worth parting ways with Damian Lillard?
It is worth mentioning that Lillard is not a free agent but rather has a massive contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. He tweeted four years ago that he would consider the Utah Jazz or the LA Lakers but since both those teams have limited assets, we can rule them out.
Any team looking to acquire him will need to offer a lavish package to get him. Let's take a look at five such trade packages that might be worthy of Damian Lillard and be of interest to the Trail Blazers.
#1 Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics have just parted ways with Kemba Walker and are in the market for an elite point guard to be paired with their budding superstar Jayson Tatum. Damian Lillard is looking to move on from Portland specifically because he needs a championship-contending roster and Boston might just be the place. They have the perfect second option to pair in Jayson Tatum and have a bunch of other talent.
The Boston Celtics' front office isn't shy of making big moves, as is evident with their Kemba Walker-Al Horford trade. Damian Lillard will finally be playing in a major city and a big market franchise and could be the player that leads them to their 18th title in franchise history. One of the proposed trades would be Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart, as well as two first-round picks. The other trades could be Jaylen Brown, Aaron Nesmith and Robert Williams with two first-round picks.
#2 Golden State Warriors
Although unlikely that Damian Lillard would go to a rival team, the best part of this trade is that the Golden State Warriors won't part ways with their core three of Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. Although Damian Lillard and Curry play the same position, neither of the two can comfortably shift to the shooting guard position with Thompson playing the small forward. Lillard would join the Splash Brothers and possibly become the most lethal distance-shooting team ever.
Damian Lillard is an Oakland native and probably grew up rooting for the Warriors. The San Francisco Chronicle published an article about Lillard uniting with his hometown team. The proposed trade would be Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, the 2021 seventh and 14th pick along with two more conditional first-round picks (possibly 2026 and 2028).
#3 New Orleans Pelicans
It is an unlikely proposition that Damian Lillard would go from one franchise in turmoil to another and choose another small market team. The hope of getting a championship roster might make him see things differently. The Athletic recently reported that Zion Williamson and his family are unhappy with the New Orleans Pelicans organization for not surrounding him with elite talent. Getting to play with a talent like Damian Lillard might certainly change Williamson's mind about playing for another team.
A young budding superstar like Zion and one of the top point guards like Damian Lillard would form one of the best duos in the league. The proposed trade would include Lillard and Robert Covington in exchange for Brandon Ingram, Eric Bledsoe and four first-round picks (possibly 2021, 2022 (via Lakers), 2023 and 2025)
#4 Philadelphia 76ers
After the Eastern Conference Semifinals against the Atlanta Hawks, the Philadelphia 76ers are reportedly looking to part ways with Ben Simmons. The point guard was abysmal in the series and the fans want him gone. Coach Doc Rivers and Joel Embiid both subtlely blamed Simmons for the loss and it looks like Simmons' future in Philadelphia is coming to an end.
The primary issue with the duo of Embiid and Simmons is the lack of spacing, but swapping Lillard for Simmons solves that. Damian Lillard's running point with Joel Embiid at the low post would form one of the most formidable duos in the league. Lillard would also be playing in a major market and would have players like Seth Curry, Danny Green and Tobias Harris already around him for a championship push. The proposed trade would be Ben Simmons, Tyrese Maxey, and three first round picks (possibly 2021, 2022 (swap) or 2023, and 2024 (swap) or 2025).
#5 Miami Heat
Damian Lillard joining the duo of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo would make Miami Heat instant title-contenders. Even without Dame, the Heat reached the 2020 NBA Finals. We know President Pat Riley is prone to making big and surprising moves and would do anything to improve the roster. Even in Miami, Damian Lillard would be playing in a major market city with a championship team around him.
The proposed trade for Damian Lillard would be Tyler Herro and Precious Achiuwa, either Duncan Robinson or Kendrick Nunn via sign and trade, along with two first-round picks. With Lillard on the team, they wouldn't need many shooters and guards anyway, so parting ways with Herro and Robinson does seem like a worthy proposition.
Guess the Lakers players!
