The Trail Blazers’ inability to build a contending roster and recent backlash involving the expected hiring of Chauncey Billups as head coach are among the factors that could push star point guard Damian Lillard “out the door,” Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports.
Lillard, who has spent every season of his career with Portland since being drafted sixth in 2012, put forth one of his best campaigns in 2020/21. He averaged 28.8 points, 7.5 assists and 35.8 minutes in 67 contests, raising those averages to 34.3 points, 10.2 assists and 41.3 minutes during six playoff outings.
The Blazers ultimately lost to the Nuggets in a six-game first-round series, immediately raising questions about Lillard’s future. The All-Star guard has long expressed a desire to spend his career in Portland and win a title with the Blazers, but he has admitted multiple times that the 2020/21 season was his most frustrating as a pro.
Haynes, who wrote in the spring that the Blazers ought to be taking a more aggressive approach to building a championship-caliber roster around Lillard, is close with the Blazers point guard, though Lillard distanced himself from that earlier column.
Haynes notes in his newest report that Lillard’s decision to stay in Portland throughout his career can be attributed in large part to his strong connection with the fans. However, some Portland fans have pushed back against the decision to hire Billups due to sexual assault allegations stemming from a 1997 incident. Lillard, who identified Billups as a candidate he liked, said he wasn’t involved in the search and didn’t know about those allegations.
“Really? I was asked what coaches I like of the names I “heard” and I named them. Sorry I wasn’t aware of their history I didn’t read the news when I was 7/8yrs old,” Lillard tweeted in response to a fan on Saturday. “I don’t support Those things … but if this the route y’all wana come at me… say less.”
Portland is expected to announce the hiring of Billups on Tuesday, Haynes reports. Billups, a 17-year veteran, is currently in his first season of coaching as an assistant under Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue. As relayed previously, Lillard listed Billups and now-Mavericks coach Jason Kidd as two preferred names shortly after the Blazers fired Terry Stotts.
A six-time All-Star, Lillard would command interest from several teams across the league if he and Portland separate. Contenders such as the Sixers, Heat and Lakers were among the clubs that expressed interest in acquiring a lead ball-handler this season, whether it was James Harden, Kyle Lowry or another player before the trade deadline.
I love Dame but let’s be honest, he was looking for a reason lol. I can’t blame him at all tho. This might be for the best for Portland too. They should be able to get a HUGE haul for Dame & I honestly think Ant Simons is ready to be a starter
You can never get full value for a guy like Lillard. He has a lot of say in where he goes (he won’t sign an extension if it’s not where he wants to be). It will be a good team that he will make much better, meaning no high lottery picks will be part of the package. I honestly can’t think of a destination that has a “huge haul” to offer.
plenty of squads can offer a huge haul for Dame. Philly is an obv 1. Minnesota, Toronto, Golden State, Charlotte are 4 more just off the top of my head. You say no high lottery picks could be part of the package but that’s clearly wrong as Toronto & GState both could offer high lottery picks
Superstars trade usually includes
1 centerpiece
2 good draft picks
Centerpiece example would be Booker or Donovan Mitchell type of players who can shoot from the three
Warriors don’t have centerpiece
Not necessary stars but close to it
James Wiseman
This is the part of sports rumors I dislike. No where in the article was a source mentioned that stated Lillard was demanding a trade. No where. No source ever said he was unhappy with the Billups choice and his accusations. Yes, he’s frustrated. But all he’s ever said was that he wanted to win in Portland and retire as a Blazer. Let’s not attribute a suggestion or fantasy wonder with a demand.
Really ???? COULD COULD ……
How would Lakers get him. Love to hear that. OK let the Knicks rumors begin ………
Please Dame would cost too much for us. Not worth it. And he’s one my favorite players. If Blazers trade it’s going to be CJ going. And they will want players that can help Dame NOW.
Clippers can’t get him either if thsy are keeping Kawhi and pg13 all their other players aren’t very talented and or are old and have been borderline jokes on other teams ! Both la team are out
how are clippers players jokes lol they have a emerging great talent in Mann. 3 PT shooters like Kennard and solid vets like Morris. Or even Zubac if Nurkic leaves
They where jokes away from the clippers batum was done before he got there , Morris was malcontent before he got there , Jackson was barely hanging in the league! Even kenard has been in and out of the rotations for pistons and clippers ! They have absolutely nothing to offer the blazers
Keep in mind they have no picks but Mann , kenard and zubac for dame is god awful lol ! All those guys are reliant on the players around them to function
Yes, Knicks have better avail assets than Lakers and Clippers
Hear ya, my first thoughts as well….Um how would Lakers do this exactly lol…Clips would need to trade PG3 ….Georges life ofc will be great regardless
Knicks don’t have a competitive offer to make, unless they send Randle and more back, which is a sideways move. Their draft picks will have very low value if they have Dame. Blazers need a team with multiple young stars already in the league. A top 5 drafting team this year maybe. I can see the Nuggets (MPJ being the featured return). Who else? If Luka wants out of Dallas conceivably.
You know who doesn’t have a competitive offer to make ? The la teams ! The sixers have one to make the raptors , the spurs etc but not the lakers or Esp clippers ! Dark dark dark horse is some kind of Kyrie and stuff for dame trade if blazers still want a actual all star
Not necessarily — the best player to go back in the Harden trade was Allen and he didn’t even go to Houston.
Knicks could mortgage their long dated 1st rounders and more or less keep the roster in tact, and Portland would be making the same bet Houston did—that in 3-5 years when Dame is out of his prime those picks will be lottery bound.
Not only that NY can absorb Dame’s salary without sending anything back.
But the rockets craved like four unprotected nets pick deep into the future when Durant kyrie and harden will be fossils or gone from Brooklyn ! That’s what they wanted over say Simmons ! Where as lakers and clippers have no real picks or any future standouts ( Mann and tht are nice role players about to become expensive) to offer ! If I’m blazers I block both their numbers now !
Although he doesn’t play defense I would have interest if im the Sixers. Simmons and a second rounder wouldn’t be a overpay.
That’s such an idiotic comment. Simmons and a second rounder wouldn’t even be a starting point for Dame.
If lillard publicly request a trade and refuses to play like other players it’s not an overpay but I suspect he wants to go to LA or Golden State(who has the assets)
What assets does GS have? They ain’t trading Steph. They have a #7 pick this year, which is OK, and then mid-20’s or below in future years, no exciting young players. Can’t see it.
hi, I’m earth, have we met. They have a 7 and 14 this year along with oubre sign and trade, along with wiseman. try reading a little bro
Yeah and if Simmons knew how to shoot and if 2nd rounders were more than trade filler and if Portland didn’t really care what happened to their team now and in the future, then yeah maybe
Lillard is 30 doesn’t play defense and his game has peaked. Simmons is 24 excels at every aspect of the game except shooting. With that being said Simmons can score and his shooting can improve .
Bennie is a great player but please don’t expect his shooting to ever improve. He’ll never be a shooter but he will be a HOFer & Portland would be lucky to have him. Dame however is arguably a top3 guard in the entire world even being a minus defender. Its gonna take more than just Ben to get Dame, especially with teams around the league bidding on him
“Bennie” just literally lost a playoff series all by himself. HOFers don’t do that kind of thing.
lol he’s a great player but he sucks at shooting and scoring points. Simmons value dropped so drastically after his embarrassing performance in the playoffs, that the Sixers would have to add quite a bit more, fella. Cute of you to be a homer, tho.
he doesn’t suck at scoring pts smh he scores 16/gm for his career. Hes obv not a shootee but if you’ve ever seen him play you should know that hasn’t stopped him from being 1 of the very best players in the world. And its cool to listen to Skip Bayless and Charles Barkley but don’t be fooled, Bennies value hasn’t fallen. Real 1s know how great this kid is at basketball. Nothing has changed
One of the very best players in the world. K. Hyperbole of the year goes to you. I watched every Sixers-Hawks game. What I saw in Simmons was a very good defender who is so inside his own head every time he touched the ball, he looked afraid to do anything with it. But if that’s a world beater in your opinion, by all means, you’re the expert.
He been in the league 4yrs & made 3 All-Star teams, easily could/should have been 4. He’s arguably the best defensive player in the world. Top5 in assists the past few seasons. He’s 1 of the highest paid players in the league. Philly was a perennial lottery team before he got there & has been in the final8 every yr that he’s been healthy. Outplayed fellow future HOFer Russ Westbrook & averaged dam near a triple double in the 1st rd vs DC just a few weeks ago (I guess that don’t count to u). Obv he struggled against us in the 2nd rd but that clearly doesn’t mean he sucks smh. He obv has to tighten his fts up but other than that yes he’s obviously a world beater as far as basketball goes. And yes compared to you I definitely am an expert when it comes to basketball. I at least know that a guy that has made the NBA All-Star game 3 of his 1st 4yrs is very good at basketball
Give it up bro, Simmons isn’t a HOF player. He hasn’t improved since his 1st season in the league and aberages roughly the same amount of points as RJ Barrett. He’s an absolute negative offensively in the playoffs as he has zero offense and teams only have to defend 4 players as Simmons won’t do anything what so ever on the offensive end points wise. He’s easy to play against.
Simmons and a 2nd rounder for Lillard?? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR FUCKING MIND?? Jesus have a word with yourself home boy. Time to take that Simmons poster down from above your bed HAHAHAHA
please stop. thr fact thst the 76ers, a ein now team. is even having these conversations should yello you his value has dropped. And the fact that he stopped even attempting to shoot in the 4th quarter should be alarming
I feel like players with great skills sets except for FT shooting get singled out more than others who lack different skills like rebounding or passing or defense, for their weakness. It is something where everything stops and that single skill is on display for all to see. What is worse missing a crucial FT or not getting a critical offensive rebound or giving up an open jumper at the wrong time? They all have the same basic effect on your team but one gets hammered on more.
It would take at least 2 or 3 first rounders for that trade to work.
You literally just saw why Simmons for Dame would be ridiculous. Simmons for McCollum works.
Lillard is in his prime. He’s so good offensively who cares about his defense. Saying Simmons is great at every aspect except shooting is profound. Shooting and scoring is what makes the world go round. Other than Rodman, Ben Wallace and Bill Russell I can’t think of any players in the Hall courtesy of their defense.
Simmons (who’s the third best player on his team) on a $35M/yr contract, and a second round pick for a Hall-of-Fame point guard in his prime?
That’s a pretty short phone call.
If Lillard is traded, it’ll be to Boston in a package headlined by Jaylen Brown.
Simmons is the 2nd best player on that team & thats been the case since his very 1st NBA game
I’m pretty sure every team in the league would have heavy interest in acquiring Dame. If I’m Portland I’d LOVE to get Bennie, Maxey, #28 overall plus a future 1st for him tho
No, you’re right, that most certainly wouldn’t be an overpay. It would be a hang up.
It wouldn’t be an overpay, for Westbrick maybe.
But it would still wouldn’t be enough for McCollum, let alone Dame.
Simmons is the last player the Blazers are thinking about getting for him.
They would take John Wall straight up before even considering Simmons.
Westbrick?? smh what went wrong in ur life to make u like this?
You’re the only person here who has a problem with that nickname.
Even if that was true what would it matter? Its pretty obviously a dumb thing to say. Relentlessly hating on these guys that are clearly the best in the world at this game that you claim to enjoy watching is a dumb/weird/sad thing to do. If other people are being awful it doesn’t make it ok for you to also be awful. I thought you were a grown man smh this type of stuff should be obv to you. You can enjoy the NBA without hating on these guys so much
He’s just a hater. Who hates all who leave his team. Except Harden hmm, makes me wonder. Could WallyWood be a stripper. Makes sense . Dudes on his 5th name in two yrs.
@Sankara: You sound like a sucker everybody calls him Westbrick because of his poor shooting %s. I don’t care if he’s better than me in basketball. That doesn’t absolve him from criticism. If that were the case, nobody would ever criticize anybody except coworkers.
No he’s not. It’s not even about calling him that. It’s about how you were on your knees for him for years and then as soon as he pulled out, I mean the Rockets traded him, you all of a sudden hate him.
Seriously? That’s been his nickname on literally every NBA site for years. Well earned too.
@Wally
The issue is that your handle literally used to be “Westbrook-Harden MVPs” and the moment he gets traded you’re on here calling him “Westbrick”. Same with Chris Paul – you loved him on the Rockets but the moment he gets traded you’re calling him a scrub. You’re not exactly a man of great conviction. Grow a spine.
the issue is actually the fact that any basketball fan would wanna call this legendary player by any derogatory nickname when he’s 1 of the most exciting & productive players we’ve ever seen in the history of the league. He plays with type of energy that any basketball fan should love. Nitpicking the 1 thing that he’s not elite at & trying to defame the guy at every possible opportunity, even stretching & creating opportunities to talk shxt about him out of nothing just shows exactly what type of guy he is. The fact that he used to ride Russ’ jock a few yrs ago & then switched up is just icing on the cake but the real issue is just being that ugly of a human in the 1st place. Its weird that guys are so proud to be haters smh like who raised you to be like that?
You really are the hero to your own story, aren’t you? Quite worked up over a nickname. I’m happy that your parents raised to “properly.” Maybe you could host a Ted Talk with your enlightenment.
This guy is clearly a Westbrook Stan!! Matter of fact, Russ is that you?!!?!
Simmons and a 2nd rounder not only “wouldn’t be an overpay ” I don’t think it’s nearly enough. A 2nd rounder is fodder. Lillard is far better than Simmons at this point.
If Portland were crazy enough to trade Lillard then I imagine it’s a complete blow up.
3 teams are unlikely to improve next season
Blazers
Mavs
Lakers
Why?
Their future picks have little value
Disagree about the Mavs
Agreed! Mavs will either be around the same record or fall back next year. The only reason they aren’t Houston is because of Luka.
Luka, Brunson, And THJ. They will built around Luka and will be in the top 4 next year.
If they let Luka do what the Rockets let Harden do they will be there in no time.
Do you realize future means something that hasn’t happened yet? So, you don’t know who they will draft, and what value they have.
Any idea that trades away Lillard and still upgrades the Blazers next 7 years?
Very little chance of that because of what Lillard does to his acquiring team’s draft position. Would take the perfect situation.
Lakers have no chance for dame clippers have even less chance ! Let’s be real if blazers are moving dame it isn’t gonna be for older then dame role players or ones that frankly aren’t very talented ! Lol Morris lol kuzma !
It will be to a team with young talent and picks to trade ! This could and should be the Knicks guy if blazers move him
RJ, Obi, IQ plus multiple 1sts would be the best they can do & that might be enough but tbh it very well may not. I doubt Portland would have much interest in Mitch bc they already got 2 guys that are better than him at the 5. Its def worth a try for the Knicks but other teams (including 1 in their own division, Phi) have better assets to offer
Mitch is, a Top three defense Center. Limited
of the another side, but this, skillset help the blazers
Let’s go Knicks make a deal. Ntilikina, Knox, Ob1, and three number one picks. Then sign Powell or DeRozan. Dame, DeRozan, RJ, Randle and Robinson.
Ntilikina? Knox? Lol
Dude you’re the guy who just said Simmons + a 2nd round pick for Dame.
Newsflash for you: 3 future firsts is eons beyond Simmons’ value right now.
Second newsflash for you: James Harden, a better player than Dame, was just traded this season for a hoard of future first round picks and Oladipo. So basically a bunch of firsts.
when did I say anything about Simmons + 2nd for Dame?
Nope you didn’t, confused you with the OP, my bad.
no prob
Come on. Three number one picks are all mid 20’s or up if the Knicks have Randle and Dame. Blazers laugh and hang up. Ntilikina is a bust, Knox is close to one, and Obi is a 2nd year player with limited skills. You can’t even talk about McCollum with that offer.
I rather have all the picks Knicks have and say obi quickley or Mitch then crappy packages like kcp kuzma Schroeder or pick 21 or Kenard Mann zubac and Beverly or Morris ! Those packages are crap and all those players all will get worse not playing without superstars
Zero way NY gets considered without offering RJ
Knox and Ntilikina both have negative value. Neither will be back on the Knicks. Frank will walk in free agency (he’s RFA if I’m reading it right). Knox has a team option if I’m not mistaken and the Knicks would be fools to pick it up. The only way they will ever be included in a deal is as a salary match and then they’ll instantly be waived by the acquiring team.
I would be shocked to see either player in the NBA next season.
Knox has two yrs left, next yr is qualifying offer. Or could walk. Frank has a qualifying offer next yr
(8.3 mill). Knicks can still use him in a trade as a fill in. One day you will apologize for all the trash you heaved on Frank. Just like Rocket Homer is now Bowing Down to Chris. Development of players is a two way street. It should fall mostly on player. But NY is wrong place to get caught up in development. He’s still our second best defender behind Mitch. That alone puts in a unique category. There’s a team that will benefit from Frank’s gm. Just like Knicks did from Randle at 27. And Suns did from Cam at 26. It’s unfortunate and a failure when teams don’t invest in their talent. Why draft a guy if you don’t like him. Even 5 coaches in 4 yrs. FO has an obligation to the future of their team to do it. It’s silly to blame a 19-22 yr old kid.
Al: I hope you’re right, but I will continue my trash talk until Frank does something worthwhile. He has not improved one iota since he entered the league. Four years of horrible play. I cannot imagine the Knicks use that QO. It would be wasted cap space. However, if Frank manages to turn it around and be a good player, I will bow down and apologize.
As for Knox, if they can teach him some defense and continue to hone his 3 point shot, he might have some value. As of now: unmitigated bust.
I said when Knox was was drafted, he needs to learn how to come hard around screens. He has not, tries not that I can tell. Nobody can tell what he is trying that involves anyone else. He cannot be compared to Randle who was already good or CamJ who is smart & disciplined.
But yes, they may do better if moved on… a decent player may get five chances. Cam Payne got about five.
Lillard has stated over and over that he’s not going to leave Portland. He won’t go, and they won’t trade him. Anything to get the Chicken Little’s buzzing. The sky is falling, the sky is falling!!! Patrick Ewing is making a comeback!! Chris Paul is gonna get traded to the Sheboygan Redskins for a surfboard. (You read it here first)
This is different. He’s 30 now. All those statements are out the window until he says something similar now. He gone if someone can put together a big offer, I’m afraid. Dunno if someone can/will though.
How are the waves in Sheboygan?
Less good than Sheboygan bratwurst.
Sheboygan waves could use some of the bratwurst’s salt and heat.
Welcome to the Raptors Mr Lillard.
You’ll be the next one to bring a chip north of the border
#4 pick and what else?
#4, Freddie, Boucher & a future 1st would probably interest Portland
Deal
I feel like that would be a really nice trade for both sides tbh especially if Toronto can get Kanter in that deal as well. If they’re able to get Dame they should also try to bring back Lowry too. Portland could grab Jalen Suggs at 4 & pair him with Ant Simons for yrs to come. They’d remain as a strong play-off contender with guys like FVV, CJ, Norm, RoCo & Nurk while also having a versatile group of youngsters off their bench with Ant/Suggs/Nassir/Boucher/etc
Simons is injuryprone and skipped college to admire himself better, while opponents got the NCAA hardening experience. Nobody should count on him. Fortunately Blazers don’t need to, having Lillard OR FVV and CJM.
I would like to see CJM be the #1 somewhere.
Lillard does not want out though, this speculation is silly.
Hes not that injury prone at all, not anymore than the average nba player… but umm, he skipped college to admire himself better? Huh?
Just a guess lol
But he did not have to measure up or throw in his lot.
That’s actually interesting. First close one I’ve seen. Van Vleet and the #4 is a really good offer.
I don’t think Lillard puts the Raptors over the top though, in which case it makes more sense to keep the pick and draft a young controllable star.
Dame, Lowry, GTJ, OG, Spicy P, Kanter is a really strong core & Toronto has arguably the best front office in the league. I’d definitely trust Masai to put the right role players around those guys. That’s the start of a 50W team fr. Remember that few thought that Kawhi would put Toronto over the top 2
Simmons and draft pick for Lillard and also includes Melo and for a backup forward with points from the beach for the Sixers.
A first rounder from a Sixers team with Lillard and Embiid is basically a 2nd rounder with a guaranteed contract. No value. That’s the kind of asset teams just give away. You’d have to include one of Phlly’s good young players like Maxey to be taken seriously, and even then I don’t think it’s enough.
Sixers would need to include at least two, probably three 1sts with Simmons for Lillard. They’re going to be late round 1sts, which are not valuable.
Probably BS. If there’s anything to this (other than speculation over what he might do), and the team decides to put him on the market, the first move has to be to replace Olshey. He can’t be the guy who decides what pieces are best to reset this roster.
The Knicks shouldn’t even kick the tires. He’s not a kid, and it will be years before the Knicks could put a title contending team around him, even if they gave up nothing for him – which obviously won’t be the case.
it would take NY much longer to build a title contending team without Dame than it would be to build a title contender with him there
If he’s in NY at $30mil age 30 six feet oh… Knicks had BETTER move fast!
They should hire Ron Mercer
This is just social media gone awry. Lillard wants to hire Billups. Portland hires Billups. #metoo social media denizens are suddenly up in arms over something that happened 25 years ago. Lillard doesn’t have the stones to put up with the negative backlash from random people on Twitter that really don’t care about the Blazers or the NBA in general and just want to get attention. Lillard COULD request trade.
Rinse and repeat with someone else in a few months.
You don’t know Portland very well. The city, that is, not the team. Mark my words, Billups won’t coach a game with the Blazers.
Do you know Portland? Do they care more about Hammon not hired or Billups probably hired?
I know they were once known as the “Jail Blazers” because of condoning bad behavior from their players. In my opinion, it is not their job to punish Billups for something that happened 25 years ago. If they had a problem with it, they should have done their due diligence and not hired him to begin with.
This comment won’t age well…
It will be interesting to see how this develops. I thought after they lost in the first round Lillard might request out. Then it seemed like he and Olshey were committed to give it a whirl with a new coach.
Now? On the one hand, Olshey shouldn’t bow to public pressure if he’s done his due diligence and feels comfortable with Billups.
On the other—if hiring Billups is going to create so much chaos that Dame is waffling on his commitment to the team, then the whole point of hiring Billups is nonsensical.
You familiar with Portland? They don’t mess around there
Did Lillard actually want Billups? I’m taking this story about him supposedly wanting out with a grain of salt (seems like the same media-created nonsense every offseason). And I’m taking his praise of Billups as generic commentary when he’s asked questions by the media.
imo, this whole thing is fabricated by the media. Dame isn’t demanding a trade, and he was never adamant about Billups getting hired.
Only Lillard really knows the answer to that question. But all we go on is his public backing of Billups. I don’t believe he was “adamant” about Billups being hired. I don’t think he “Lebron’d” the coaching search or anything. But I do believe he respects Billups’s basketball knowledge and most likely loved him as a player.
No doubt Billups has a high basketball IQ. But I read Dame’s comments as more of speaking positive about any possible hire. He’s being uncontroversial and a company man/team player.
More media controversy over nothing, imo. Billups will be fine, Dame will stay in Portland, they’ll lose in the first or second round next year.
Agreed, with the caveat of what they receive if they trade CJ McCollum. Portland is not that far away and they get the right piece or pieces to fit with Lillard, they could be something.
The Lakers, Warriors, and Clippers are all getting older and showing their weaknesses. Not to mention, Kawhi may bolt. The Jazz and Suns are young, but are not tested enough to say they are a virtual guaranteed top of the conference every year. There could be opportunity in the West for a “one year wonder” team to make the finals. I am thinking of something similar to when Dirk’s Mavericks won their title.
I think Portland could be that type of team that sneaks up and “steals” a championship before a new dynasty can take hold.
haha, I hope you’re right. I’m a Knicks fan, but there have been so many great Blazers teams that have fallen short that I want them to win one. I would love for them to sneak in and steal one.
Chicago needs a PG…
Chicago is the next dumpster about to burst into flames.
Aside from 2-3 years with Derrick Rose, when has Chicago NOT needed a PG? They needed a PG even when they were winning championships. The Jordan-led Bulls never had a really good PG, which is why I chuckle when people say you need a great PG to have a championship team.
They had a hell of a point forward in Scottie Pippen
First time I ever heard of this Billups issue was when it was posted on here. Never once heard it brought up during his career or broadcast career. So no one cared until he got a coaching gig? Weird timing.
Dame is my top choice in a Ben Simmons trade. You could put Thybulle in the starting lineup for defense.
I would not include Maxey. Simmons, Shake, #28. Bench is going to be an issue. Still not good enough, they need someone to take a vet min deal that isn’t garbage. Green should only be back on one of those vet min and same with Korkmaz if they keep him.
Dame – Hill
Curry – Maxey
Thybulle – Green or FA
Harris – BBall Paul
Embiid – Howard or FA
if Portland insisted on Maxey plus Ben, #28 & an unprotected 2024 1st you’d decline?
Think of the Anthony Davis trade. That is about the value of the package going back to the Blazers!
They said Cosby and Weinstein were good guys for many years too
By that logic, are you just going to assume everyone ever called a good guy is now evil?
I dont see either Lillard or Simmons moving, but if portland unfathomably moves Dame, I could see Tobias Harris, Maxey, Milton, Paul Reed, Knicks 2021 2nd round pick, 2022 1st round pick, and 2023 most favorable atlanta, charlotte, brooklyn 2nd round pick for Lillard, and maybe Melo
Lillard, Curry, Danny Green, Simmons, Embiid
George Hill, Isaiah Joe, Thybulle, plus whoever off the bench
Milton, McCollum, Covington, Tobias Harris, Collins
Maxey, Derrick Jones, Nurkic/Paul Reed, Simons, Little plus draft picks/additions off the bench
Would definitely improve Portland’s defense, and mitigate some scoring loss with Tobias, who also could help them in half court situations, and gove them kind of an upgraded version of what they got from Melo. Their shooting would be slightly more questionable, so theyd have to add someone, but its definitely something to work with, and they’d also have assets to use moving forward
I can’t wait for Knicks fans to start pumping out offers like “Dame to the Knicks for Toppin,Ntilkina, and a 1st rounder”.
Lol true. But they can build a legit package… RJ, Toppin, Knox, and Robinson along with 2 1sts.
It would also be a way for the Blazers to dump salary if they wanted to part with Nurkic or RoCo.
Have any of you all ever watched Knox play? Please stop including him in packages. He has no value.
Knox rookie yr — 28.8 mins, 12.8 pts, 4.5 reb.
He was one of youngest players ever after one yr of college. To come into NBA. He’s still growing into his body. Please tell us all, how those numbers for a 19 yr old. Make him have no value. Knicks have only themselves to blame for his growth.
Knox has no value because he is not good at basketball. Bad shooting, provides no defense, no passing, no rebounding. Have you not watched him play? I get that you’re a homer, but he stinks on ice. The only silver lining is that he’s improved his three point shot a bit. If he can build on that, he may have some value. But now? Zero.
He sits at the end of the Knicks bench. Is Thibs wrong? No one is paying $5 million for the 11th guy on the bench.
Knox is just a contract man dont read too deep into it.
I’ll go ahead and say it. Dark horse trade candidate: Brooklyn Nets. Centerpiece? Kyrie Irving. Rumblings that management is not happy with him. I can definitely see something like this going down. Highly doubt it does happen but you have to consider it.
They have nothing left to part with after the Harden trade. You’d need a 3rd or 4th team.
They can give up Claxton, but I doubt they want to. Then again, to get a guy like Lillard you never know what a team like the Nets would be willing to give up.
Outside the box for sure, but theoretically plausible.
Warriors have the assets and contracts to get it done. #7, #14, Wiseman, Wiggins, and a future 1st would be enticing if I’m Portland. Golden State is essentially all in with Steph, so why not pull the trigger. With Wiggins gone, Oubre could look to resign as well.
Congrats! You’ve proposed a Lillard trade that actually makes sense from the standpoint of both teams to the trade. Not hard to see GSW winning a championship as a result of this trade. That should be a pre-requisite for any team giving up a boatload of assets for Lillard at this stage of his career.
So the Warriors have 2 ball dominant PG’s that need 20-30 shots a game to be successful? Has that ever worked.. in history?
Curry isn’t ball dominant. It’s why his offensive metrics are off the charts. Lillard is, but should be able to adjust, or he really isn’t a superstar. I’d be more concerned about defense with that pairing (and KT coming off injury at the 3). Harden and KI are in between Curry and Lillard on the ball dominant scale, and they did more than fine (offensively).
Did you really just say Steph Curry isn’t a ball dominant PG? Really man? lol…. defensively they would be horrible.. one big swing guard and they are done on the defensive end (Jimmy Butler, Ben Simmons, Kawhi, PG13, etc etc).. they would need 3 Draymond Green’s for that to work lol… and what do they do with Klay in that situation? Play him as a 6th man? No way he could be on the court the same time they are both there.
If you think Steph is a ball dominant PG and can’t play off the ball, then I can’t help you.
Dame to Miami for a package of Tyler Herro, Goran Dragic, Andre Iguodala, and a future 1.
Why? 1) Tyler Herro is a huge building block piece that every team in the NBA has wanted in the last year (Houston, OKC, Toronto, Philly, San Antonio, and others all asked for Herro in potential trades over the last 12 months) 2) Dragic and Iguodala both have team options for 21-22 that add up to about 35 mill. Not sure how it works.. but if they can trade them then turn down the contracts that instantly free’s 35 mill in cap space. If the options have to be picked up, both become major trade chips (35 mill in expiring vet contracts are NBA gold for building teams) 3) This deal would both set up the Blazers for future building (Herro is 21) and let them spin assets with expiring contracts……. thoughts?
Interesting, but not enough. Even if you think it’s enough, other teams would be able to beat that package. Because really all that trade is would be a 1 for 1 deal of Lillard for Herro. Dragic and Iggy are just salary fillers and the future 1st would likely be a later pick and not have much value.
How could another team offer 35 mill in cap space on top of one of the most sought after trade pieces in the NBA since the bubble? If the Heat were willing to give him up 6 months ago.. James Harden would be on the Heat today. To a team that would instantly be rebuilding, that ability to create insane cap space is absolute gold. Every other team would need to offer multiple rebuilding pieces.. not sure they could.
No he WAS one of the most sought after trade pieces right after the bubble. Herro had kind of a down year and the NBA is a “what have you done for me lately” league. Herro is no longer the young rookie coming off a surprise Finals appearance. Now he is the sophomore that slumped on a team that performed much worse than expected. Is it fair? No But it is usually the way it works.
In addition, cap space for a team like Portland is not really as big a deal. Portland is not a major FA destination like LA, NY, or Miami. Getting cap space for them just means they will end up overpaying a second tier free agent because the top guy wants better endorsement possibilities elsewhere.
Herro and a future 1st (which would need to be quite remote)? Pretty light. No cap space since the other two guys have to be picked up and, at those numbers, have negative value. Really less than Herro and remote 1st.
I’m more than sure Iguodala would be bought out or flipped before the season… Dragic would be a mid season trade chip and a 20 mill expiring contract (they would also have Iggy’s contract to trade)… I don’t think you grasp the value of expiring NBA contracts of that size.. it changes a franchises direction instantly having that much flexibility.
LOL. Expiring contracts have value ONLY in that they may be used as matching contracts for trades. If you believe different, you misunderstood. I beginning to realize that’s likely a common occurrence.
Yes… IE some team (lets say the Knicks) are in contention in spring 2022… they need a veteran PG to lead their team. Dragic.. on an expiring deal… IS GOLD lol… this is why Kyle Lowry was sought after so much this past season. They could turn Dragic and Iggy into countless draft picks and young prospects (see OKC for how this is done)
Did you notice that Lowry was NOT traded? The only way Dragic would be a positive asset would be to use his expiring to take on a multi year contract from a contender and getting draft capital tacked on. So yes it COULD be a good asset, but it is not as good as you seem to believe.
OKC and other teams get draft picks by trading expiring contracts for bad contracts. The draft picks are compensation for assuming the bad contracts. The teams could get even more picks by assuming bad contracts into cap space (if they have it).
Only way Dame goes anywhere. Is first he’s got to agree to it. Blazers have to get plenty back. And it’s got to be a contender. Who has all that working that can swing it. Dame is retiring a Blazer. Best move Blazers can do is. Move CJ to Hawks or Sixers. And get players (with an S) Players that can help Dame now. Simmons would have to play the wing. Which I’ve been saying since he was drafted. And Hawks give up Collins, Cam, Bogdanovic plus picks.
Dame is not leaving Portland. He shouldn’t …..
This whole hypothetical is him asking for a trade… and I can almost guarantee he will have a 3-4 team list that includes the Heat, Lakers, and someone else
This writer is a clown. He’s requesting a trade because of the backlash the team is receiving for hiring a guy who Dame stated he wants as head coach.
So Dame was just waiting for them to announce Billups so he could request a trade because of that backlash?
Jeez man, the big market media just loves drumming up a craziest, dumbest stories (if we can even call it that).
Someone came out with accusations 23 years ago, he was never convicted and he’s still getting his name thrown in the dust. That’s just slander. Come on people, you’re better than that!
New here, huh?
Bring Dame to Boston