OVERREACTION LILLARD TRADES

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS:

WAY TOO EARLY OVERREACTION LILLARD TRADES:

Personally, I am of the notion that the Lillard talk is a lot of smoke and mirrors. I think it is probably mostly media-driven and that he is probably a lock to stay in Portland and try to run it back. They have a very desirable roster that needs some tweaking. It seems more likely that if they were to break apart that backcourt, it would be in the direction of McCollum packing his bags.

That being said, this is always one of my favorite exercises. I've done this song and dance with Beal, I've done it was Porzingis, now it's Lillard on the hypothetical chopping block. There will be a lot of analysts trying to interject heir bias as dream destinations they would want him, but I'll try to suppress my desire to have him in Mavericks uniform.

TRADE 1: PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

PHILADELPHIA: Damian Lillard
PORTLAND: Ben Simmons, Matisse Thybulle, Shake Milton

There are a lot of whataboutisms with this trade. For one, Philly isn't completely out of the playoffs yet. They have had the easiest path so far, going against a Wizards team that honestly had no business in the playoffs and now a Hawks team that is hot, but could quickly fizzle out. Philadelphia does this trade because it finally gives Embiid an elite point guard that can shoot beyond the arc. Lillard is not a significant defender, but he does good enough to get by and his offensive prowess far outweighs his defensive deficiencies. Portland does this trade because it's a quick strip-down rebuild. They lose their franchise player but get a relatively young player that can guard the elite point guards in the West like Luka, Curry, CP3, and Ja. Also in the trade they get an elite wing defender in Thybulle on a team-friendly deal for now, and Shake Milton, who was in the running for sixth man of the year. Like most of these trades there will likely be other ancillary players and picks involved to execute the deal, but this would be the primary players involved.

TRADE 2: INDIANA PACERS

INDIANA: Damian Lillard
PORTLAND: Malcolm Brogdon, TJ Warren, 2021 1st Round

This is a less desirable trade and would likely include multiple first round picks in this scenario. Brogdon and Warren are both extremely value role players, yet this Pacers team has not been able to put things together. Warren has been hurt all year, so he is more of a wild card in this trade, as I don't think they would trade LeVert after just acquiring him. Myles Turner would be a weird fit and the rest of the roster doesn't move the needle for a Portland team in a competitive Western Conference. There does not need to be a lot said about having Lillard on the Pacers, but he would immediately make them an excellent offensive team alongside Sabonis. This move would also free up minutes down the line for young players like Brissett to get some minutes. I'm not super bullish on their ability to acquire Lillard but there are only so many teams where it'd be possible.

TRADE 3: GOLDEN STATE

GOLDEN STATE: Damian Lillard
PORTLAND: Andrew Wiggins, 2021 Minnesota 1st Round, 2021 1st Round

Fit doesn't matter, this would be a ridiculous trade. The backcourt duo of Steph and Lillard would be legendary, Klay would play the 3 and they'd hopefully have a more matured James Wiseman. This trade would for Portland would likely means McCollum would run point, they'd re-sign Powell at the 2-guard long-term, Wiggins at the 3, and the rest of the line-up would stay relatively unchanged. This trade only happens if Minnesota does not get a top-3 pick, but there is plenty of guard talent through the lottery, and a lot of late first round talent as well. Portland obviously still gets worse with the departure of Lillard, but this is not a worst case scenario as far as trades go. Golden State retains a title contender barring health concerns and would be very interesting to watch them just score 20 3's a night.

CLOSING THOUGHTS:

Honestly, Lillard likely won't go anywhere unless he asks for it. McCollum is the piece that would likely get traded should those conversations escalate. There are teams I'm sure he'd love to play in - Lakers, Clippers, Nets, etc., but none of them have the right mix of contracts or draft picks. The teams with the high draft picks are trying to build themselves up to a point where if they traded for a guy like him it meant that they were trying to compete. Teams like Orlando have good draft picks, but nobody believes he'd help a team like Orlando stand a chance in the playoffs. The Bulls would have to give up too much to get him. The Pistons wouldn't be better off. Minnesota would be a weird fit and who would they give up? KAT? Overall, I think these are the three best trades available, unless other stars are trying to get out of dodge.

- Adam Safianow - NBA Analyst - Upsyde Sports [Copyright 2021]

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