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When asked if he expects to wear a Trail Blazers uniform at the start of next season, Damian Lillard replied, “Yes, I expect that.”
Apparently, most NBA executives expect the same.
From the start, it’s clear that Lillard is increasing the pressure on the Trail Blazers and giving them a chance to compete, which is why most executives don’t think a Lillard trade is happening this offseason, Kevin reports. O’Conner at the Ringer.
Few team leaders expect a deal with Dame to happen this offseason. But several front office sources claim that the Heat, Kings, Knicks, Rockets and Sixers have recently been the most aggressive contenders.
Front office executives say if the Blazers do end up moving Lillard, they can expect a comeback to rival or surpass what the Nets gave up for James Harden: several young players, plus three first-round picks and four trades. first round pick. Harden is a former MVP, but he only had two guaranteed seasons left on his contract at the time of the trade. Portland could do even better as Lillard still has four seasons on his contract worth a total of $ 176 million. The long-term security of Lillard’s contract could result in more interest from teams and more return to a trade.
The list of contenders contains many names expected on the list.
Miami is in winning mode now with Jimmy Butler in his prime, and they have some good young players they can throw into a trade (Tyler Herro would probably be part of any deal, for example). The Knicks’ turnaround under Tom Thibodeau last season makes Madison Square Garden a destination again, and New York is still big game hunting. The Kings have been one of the more aggressive teams looking for roster upgrades this offseason, looking to leap (and end a 14-year playoff drought). Even though Daryl Morey is gone, the Rockets are still in those conversations, with Eric Gordon likely being the centerpiece of an exchange.
Philadelphia might be the most intriguing, with some form of Ben Simmons for the Lillard trade. If he is forced to trade Lillard, Portland is not a market that seeks to tear him down and rebuild ala “the process”; the addition of Simmons keeps the team competitive as they find new direction (and that’s a clear improvement in fit and talent for Philly, but they should bring a lot more than Simmons).
Whether a trade happens during the offseason is largely in Lillard’s hands. The amount of smoke coming out of Portland means there’s a fire – it’s obvious he’s disenfranchised, and at 31 he hears the countdown – but if and when that process hits another speed , it belongs to Lillard himself.
If he demands a trade this offseason – as some reports have suggested he will – then the game is on. So far, he has not taken this step. What he did was put a lot more pressure on the Trail Blazers to create a competitor, essentially warning the franchise.
“I do not dispute that maybe Chauncey [Billups, the new Portland coach] can change our team and make us a better team, ”said Lillard from Las Vegas with Team USA. “But I think if you look at our team the way it is, I don’t see how you say ‘this is a championship team, we just need a new coach…’.
“We need to be more urgent… we’ve made the playoffs all these years, we’re a good team, we’re not a bad team, but we’ve reached the point where we have to ask ourselves’ have we done enough? ‘ “
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