Numerous trade rumors are circulating about Damian Lillard, but league sources tell Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer that the Trail Blazers are more inclined to keep Lillard and try to build a contender around him.
According to O’Connor, Portland’s front office is exploring deals involving the No. 3 pick in the draft and would be willing to move Anfernee Simons as well. O’Connor names the Celtics‘ Jaylen Brown, the Raptors‘ Pascal Siakam and the Nets‘ Mikal Bridges as targets that would make sense for that package, but he also cautions that the Blazers might decide to keep their pick.
Simons is coming off his best NBA season, averaging 21.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 4.1 assists in 62 games. The 24-year-old shooting guard has three seasons left on his four-year, $100MM extension.
The No. 3 pick also carries significant value in a draft that is projected to have three top players. Brandon Miller is widely expected to be taken second by Charlotte, leaving G League star Scoot Henderson available for any team that wants to deal for the third choice. However, Miller and Henderson could easily flip places.
In an interview this week, Lillard identified the Heat and Nets as teams he would be interested in joining if he requests a trade. O’Connor offers a few other suggestions, including the Raptors, who reportedly talked to Portland about an OG Anunoby deal last summer and again before the February deadline. O’Connor also mentions the Grizzlies if they decide to unload Ja Morant or teams rich in draft picks such as the Pelicans, Rockets and Spurs.
Lillard has stated repeatedly that he wants to compete for a championship, and O’Connor believes his best chance to reach that goal is to accept a trade. However, it appears the Blazers are going to make an effort to create an instant contender before they consider that option.
Siakam? Really? I mean, nice player, but he ain’t the big swing that’s gonna fix your problems.
Disagree. The last five champions each traded for a good defensive player on a mediocre/bad team who helped everyone else on the floor.
Nuggets – Aaron Gordon, the perfect complement to Jokic.
Warriors – Wiggins guards an elite scorer and doesn’t need to be a primary offensive creator and gets easier shots around Steph.
Bucks – Jrue Holiday, elite defender, not a PnR star but doesn’t need to be with Middleton/Giannis/Brook Lopez
Lakers – AD takes less shots in LA than he did in NO and he’s the perfect 2nd-option alongside Lebron.
Raptors – traded for Kawhi, took some of the burden off Siakam and Fred VanVleet and won a title.
Siakam would benefit hugely from playing with a guy who can shoot off movement like Jamal Murray, Klay/Steph, Middleton. If Siakam gets traded to a win-now team in exchange for multiple first rounders that could swing the nba title next season.
Nuggets (Jokic), Warriors (Steph Curry), Bucks (Giannis), Lakers (LeBron). Dame Lillard is not a “dude” like these guys. You can’t put Siakam with him and expect title contention.
If Dame Lillard is your best player …. You will NOT be winning a title. He doesn’t impact games like that. Just a dude with a jump shot. No D. Does NOT elevate the play of his teammates. Mirror image of Brad Beal with a better jumper.
What you on? None of them scored 70, image of Beal with a jumper? You definitely on something Beal been had a jumper Dame better then Steph all Steph do is shoot, Dame go inside, he has midrange, Steph only focus is shooting 3’s, he attempts more 3’s then anything else, out of all those players you listed Steph struggles the most because he wants to shoot deep ass 3’s which Lillard shoots at a better percentages by the way, you wanna dislike a player fine but don’t act like they not great, what you gonna say next? Trae better then Lillard or Dame? Let KD join the Blazers with a 73-9 team, anybody would get a chip then, Steph has never earned a chip, I always liked him but get real, they won vs a injured Cavs team in 2015 that didn’t have Kyrie or Love, lost from up 3-1 the next year in 2016, wit a 73-9 record then they recruited KD to get them two more chips, then they played a Nuggets team that only had a duo, played the Grizzlies wit a injured Ja & Bane with back issues, got lucky they played the Mavs instead of the Suns who embarrassed them all year, then played a Boston team that never been in the finals, they solely won off of experience,Celtics had way more talent, oh by the way Steph was never the MVP in the finals even Stephen A said it shoulda been Wiggins, so please tell me how is Steph that guy? Yokic always get bounced outta the playoffs early, this year they got lucky, Giannis got 4-1’ed vs the Heat this year, & lost to the Celtics last year, the only year he won was cause Trae young got hurt & KD had his foot on the line, the only Legitimate guy you named is LeBron & I ain’t even talking about Heat LeBron cause that’s a super team, the 3-1 chip he earned that, the Lakers 2020 he earned that, yes he earned the Heat ones too but he had a super team, LeBron played against healthy teams & won, he played against a Healthy Lillard & McCollum & beat them in 5, beat a Harden & Westbrook team in 5, beat a Nuggets team in 5, then beat a Heat team in 6, all teams were healthy & the 2016 chip they beat a 73-9 team down 3-1 & made history, he earned that, I like Giannis but he lucky, Steph not even good on defense, Yokic either & only LeBron & Giannis are good on both sides of the ball, sure the Nuggets gonna win the finals but what comp did they have? Warriors would lose to any dominant inside team that plays great defense, which is why the Lakers beat them in 6, Suns roster got depleted with the KD trade, also changed the chemistry, no CP3 with him being injured, they played a Laker team that overachieved, AD didn’t play like AD, Nuggets best to take advantage they not getting this opportunity again next year & I’m a fan of all these guys but I gotta keep it real, people are always bringing up Steph in the same sentence like he’s LeBron or Kobe or Jordon, he’s not. Like Yokic is Shaq or somebody, he’s not.
Dame, is that you?
Dame is amazing. They were a terrible team in the western conference that was pretty balanced. If you couldn’t be a top ten team in the west this year the next few will be a lot harder. I love Dame, i think its in Portland and his best interest to move on. Portland should keep the 3 and add to the young guys they got and get a haul for dame.
As others have commented, Lillard is not the #1 option on a championship contender. Pairing any of Siakam, Brown, or Bridges with Lillard might elevate the Blazers to a playoff team but with a first or second round ceiling. Portland needs to keep the #3 pick and trade Lillard for assets – they’re more likely to build a contender that way.
Portland problem is always the same problem for years their defense has been horrible and tries to out score other teams. They need a defensive superstar more than a offensive star. defense wins game in playoffs more than offense.
He was a #2 on a championship team and has only gotten better
Not tryna comment to you but I only see reply, I don’t see where I can just comment but I’ll reply to what you said, I agree, one player isn’t gonna make them a instant championship caliber team regardless, they literally traded CJ just for a similar CJ type player to take over in Simons plus Grant, nobody consistently plays defense on this team & that’s the issue, I don’t get how trading your 2nd best player yet again(this time plus a pick) for one a guy who won’t win them a chip, even Jaylen Brown ain’t worth it, I don’t want to see Dame go but the Blazers are tied in terms of what they can do, they could use Henderson, maybe he’ll be a instant star, look at the Kings, all their players can barely crack 20 points a game & yet they had a decent record, know why? Cause they play hard, they play defense, sure they’re inexperience kicked in & couldn’t eliminate the Warrior’s when they had the chance but they fought to bring it to a game 7, Kings players really not all that, but they play defense, on paper the Blazers should be a top team but they don’t play defense, several analyst have said it, I don’t get how Dame is a guy that’s looked at as he can’t win a chip if he’s the number one guy like people say like uh hello Steph exists, it’s about the supporting cast, skill, experience & sometimes luck too, Steph don’t play no dam defense, PG’s always go off on him especially Kyrie, Kyrie averages like 30+ vs him, sure it’s Kyrie he can get that on anyone but let’s not forget he guarded Steph in that 2016 playoffs had 40 points alongside LeBron, blocked Steph’s shots, he played great even made the game winning 3, Steph couldn’t make it to win the game & also had a 73-9 trash wit a 3-1 lead, nobody ever questions Steph but question Dame, like lets be fair but the same way MJ can’t do no wrong is the same way Steph can’t do no wrong.
Big no on those offers.
Trading Lillard outright should be their focus if this is the market for Simons and #3.
They can get Trae for Ant & #3. Especially if we can then flip #3 to Orlando for #6 & #11
Teaming Damian Lillard with Trae Young is an excellent idea
That’s the most silly thing I have ever heard. I hope this is sarcasm. How do 8 people like your comment? How do people think of this stuff. Why trade CJ then. Come on
Two ball dominate Guards that are both 6ft 2inches and under in the same backcourt. This deal would be AWFUL for Portland.
Good call .
Why you always screwing with Orlando?
lmao Trae Young is not desired by Portland. Maybe the worst “star” they could pair with Lillard.
I mean I could go by a Big Mac…
Doesn’t mean I should want to…
Now you’re giving up on Young ??
Atlanta seems to be going backwards.
The #3 pick in this draft (with or without Simons) is worth more than Siakam. It’s a closer call with Bridges and Brown, but if the team (BKN/BOS) likes Scoot (or Miller, if he’s the guy who drops to 3rd), they’d have to think seriously about taking it.
IMO, Brown worth more than Simons + 3rd.
I think even Bridges worth more. Siakam might do it.
OK. Brown and Bridges are better players (or at least more proven), but any determination of value should take the contract into account, since that (not the player) is what the team will acquire. It might break different for BOS, a contender not looking to take a step back during a potential championship window, than BKN, which is trying to win too, but perhaps without the same urgency. Over all 30 teams, though, I think the 3rd pick in THIS draft (with 3 consensus elite prospects) would carry more value for most of them than max players who are not considered superstars. Bridges has a more team friendly contract than the other two, and has 3 years remaining, so, to me, he’s more valuable.
No
The only real option for simons and 3 is trading for Lavine and Derozan, Portland offense would be crazy and they would have the worst defense all time by double what the worst defense all time has been
There is no star to be had for that package! A near star perhaps but not one that will change anything for the blazers ! They should jusr take scoot for themselves and if dame wants out after that that’s actually a blessing in disguise for them !
Disagree. Siakam doesn’t get the credit he’s earned. All-NBA, multiyear All-Star, and NBA Champion. He also has had some impressive overall stat lines.
Is he top 10? No.
Does he still have upside? Yes.
Is he an excellent #2? Absolutely!
IMO (fan, not GM) Simmons and the #3 pick (while enticing) is still not enough. Another piece from the Raptors with upside (in the right environment) such as Flynn (former R1 pick) and Sharpe from Portland would balance better.
If Portland wants to win now and take a proven star like Siakam, they have to be willing to risk something; there is no guarantee that the #3 will meet expectations (ie.Anthony Bennett).
Heck, if you were NOP, would you go back and select JaM or RJ Barrett over Williamson? Gotta wonder given how little Williamson has played…
Will be interesting to see what happens when the dust settles.
If Flynn can get you Sharpe I take that all day everyday.
Wasn’t suggesting Flynn for Sharpe straight up. I think Sharpe is a better piece than Flynn, but I also think Siakam is a better piece the Simon’s + #3. put them together and you’re close:
Portland: Siakam + Flynn
Toronto: Simon + Sharpe + #3
Would need other pieces for $$$ as Siakam contract > Simon + Sharpe
Why don’t the Wolves think about the 3rd pick, Simons, and maybe another first and a swap for Towns? With the new CBA they can’t afford to build around Edwards, Towns, and Gobert. Gobert has negative value and they need to retool.
Build around Edwards and Henderson/Miller, get back a couple of picks, then flip Simons to another team at the deadline or next offseason. Outside of a team like the Knicks who even has draft picks right now that will want to trade a big haul for Towns? That’s the issue for them when so many teams are all in and their current team won’t work.
Knicks want KAT (Kentucky guy) and they have significant draft capital.
And the twolves have no desire for picks so how that help the knicks
If T-Wolves have no KAT …. Then they absolutely will be thirsty to get back “some” of the draft capital they gave up for Rudy Gobert.
Knicks absolutely have an interest in KAT. Knicks have R.J. Barrett on newly signed deal as a trade chip, as well as a young Mitch Robinson on a nice deal. Not saying it is a good deal, but it has been major chatter in New York. A lot of folks in NY think they are gonna make a move on KAT.
If you are trying to win a title …. KAT is a 7’0 version of Lillard …. It’s not gonna happen if he is your top guy.
The twolves already have their superstar in ant. They are looking to supplement him, gobert, and McDaniels moving forward. So while yes they will take picks it’s more about other fits too. And if the Knicks trade barret what is their wing depth behind grimes.
How would Ja and Dame work along together? Just cannot picture it…
Keep the 3rd + Ant. (Hoping that the 3rd would turn into Brandon Miller). Ant going to get better every year, Shaedon developing, Grant solid at the wing. Just need to upgrade at the center, and make smart off-season signings for the bench, akin to what Nuggets did w. Bruce Brown.
They can build half of team trading Dame away,keep Simmons,Grant,Sharpe,3 rd,this team can be playoff team easily without him next season and be a contender in a few years
Celtics are stupid if they have a chance to do this for Brown and they dont do it and sign him to a supermax instead.
@luapnor Brown will get offered a 60 mil per year contract. Honestly I don’t even think he is worth half that amount. Whoever gives him a contract like that is a fool. If I gave him that kind of contract as an owner I don’t think I’d be able to sleep at night. I’d wake up with nightmares at all the money I just wasted. He doesn’t even want to play in Boston since he thinks the city is racist. I’ve never been to Boston so I don’t have a comment on it but as an owner, do you really want a player who thinks/comments on your city like that publicly, even if its true? I wouldn’t
Bridges is one of the best two way players in the game whos good for 82 games a year at 25 to maybe even 30 PPG. Simons and the number 3 pick in the draft won’t cut it, especially since the Nets don’t own their own draft picks for the next 4 years. If Portland wants to trade #3, Simons, Sharpe, and all their other first rounders unprotected, I’d say the Nets should contemplate it. For those that say the #3 pick is enough for Bridges, their have more more busts than elite players with those top 3 picks in recent times. Off the top of my head, Marvin Bagley, James Wiseman, Jahil Okafor, Markelle Fultz, Jabari Smith Jr, Zion (has barely played duento injuries/unable to control eating habits), Ja Morant (great player but not right in the head, constantly gets injuried and or gets himself into trouble which in turns gets him suspended), etc. Even Jalen Green, who I think is one of the worst players in the NBA (high scoring gaurd that takes wayyy too many inefficient shots which translates to losing games, look it up he has one of the worst winning percentages of all times when he plays + his defense is below average), he was the #2 overall pick. If the Nets end up with a player like Jalen Green at #3, should they be happy about that? He’d never be as good as Bridges. Bridges is on the most team friendly deal in the league, so its not like hes getting paid 50 mil a year right. If I’m Sean Marks I’d keep Bridges unless Portland can find a way to just blow me out of the water
I’d trade with the Nets but go the other way and give them Dame for one of Johnson and Bridges plus Claxton and picks. Solves alot of their problems
I don’t see a trade with NJ going either way – with or without Dame. While the draft pick can be sweet, moving Bridges at this point and time isn’t worth it. And the same goes for the Nets trying to acquire Dame while not moving Bridges – they don’t have the capital to make it happen.
Big mistake. Dame has to go. Not worth paying a small guard in his mid 30s 50 million a year. I’d trade him to the Nets if possible for Johnson or Bridges and Claxton plus picks. Resign Jerami Grant and draft Scoot because the team at 2 prefers Miller. The youth movement in Portland would be a great step in the right direction. Move Simons to a more suited 6th man role. Claxton, Grant, Johnson, Sharpe, Scoot. Nurk, Little, Simons and others off the bench
What is Portland doing? Salary dumped Powell and Covington. Horrible return for McCollum. Now they are trying to trade simons? Just blow it up and trade dame. You aren’t beating denver
I’d rather have josh hart than McCollum, I’m totally fine with that trade. Powell is a black hole on d. The trades are fine.
Portland Trail Blazers, meet Pascal Siakam. Loll
If I was guaranteed Henderson, I would trade Brown for the 3 and Simmons and maybe another pick. Henderson is very young and athletic and is exactly what Boston needs! Brown does not want to be here for several reasons! Not being the 1 option, the city is racist and on and on! I love Jaylen get a haul for him while you can!
Portland is being too faithful to a long time franchise player…
They aren’t winning with Dame… Best to rebuild…
To be honest, for some franchises the goal is to be an entertaining and profitable show for the community. That means keeping star players who are fan favorites and loyal. Sure they’ll try to win and make trades to that end but they’re not going to go broke doing so.
LA NBA esta mal permiten contratos muy grandes, y los jugadores no los valen y ademas son jugadores que se leccionan constantemente
Demar DeRozan?? Bradley Beal?
Portland just needs to pull the trigger and trade Damian Lillard. keep Simmons, then use the third of roll pick on either scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller whatever one the Hornets don’t take. then you have the return from Lillard and I could be the start of a nice young competitive team. you don’t want to waste this number three overall pick on a veteran even if they’re good to make Damian Lillard happy you got to do what’s best for the organization and sadly the best thing for them right now is the trade Lillard and start their rebuild and with Simmons and the number three pick that’s not a bad start
Dame will be 33 on July 15. Only the right trade will help Blazers contend. Blazers not only need another star, better put is the Right star. They need to solidify their depth and D. Best way to do that.
Is draft Scoot. He can play with Dame. Doesn’t have the pressure to carry an offense. He plays both ways and can run a team. Sign Grant a top 2way player and the Other star (2.5 ast, 4.4 reb, 21 pts). Last three yrs, 29yrs old. So is at his peak yrs.
Trade Simons and the 23rd pick for the right star. Siakam might be had. He’s the one I’d want. Raptors lose VanVleet they can use Simons. 23rd pick plus a future #1. Is a good trade imo. Or they can include Sharpe. But I wouldn’t.
Dame, Scoot, Grant, Siakam, Nurkic is a solid starting 5. That can compete for the West. Just have to get that bench right. A good mix of Defense and shooters.
Trading Lillard is the logical choice.
Lillard gave the GM a public out, and that is all the GM should need to not make a mistake at this critical franchise juncture. Rebuild, or Regroup?
Simons, and #3 have more value in future potential than any of the players offered above.
Bridges and Brown are alright, but not the right pieces to make Portland a contender.
Annunoby, Siakam are laughable if picks aren’t coming back to Portland in the deal, or some other compensation.
Toronto would laugh about this swindling for years to come…
Listening to Cronin pressers it’s pretty apparent he’s a reactionary guy willing to hedge off half his plans to the media while acting like his hands are tied on the other half
I wouldn’t trust this dude to turn around a boat in the middle of the ocean let alone an NBA franchise
Agreed. I don’t believe you can effectively deal an asset like the 3rd overall pick in this draft without being proactive. He’s acting like a tentative buyer, when he needs to be a discriminating seller. He’s holding the unique (rarely available) asset. Set the parameters and let the proposals come in.
When is the last time any 3rd overall pick was available in a trade other than for a swap with another pick within a couple of selections? Teams spend years tanking for a chance to get a pick like this, with no guarantees.
I cant remember many
Ray Allen comes to mind as the nearest in 2007, netted #5 who was Jeff Green along with Wally Zerbs and DWest , quite the haul but this pick should be almost twice as valuable considering.
Dame is not a no.1 option Brown thinks he is. I hope the Celtics do trade Brown. Scoot is good enough to play them into the playoffs. You don’t pass up scoot he is going to lead a team to a championship. He is the only player you trade Brown for . No way on Dame.
Portland are sitting on the fence.
1 step from trying to contend.. possibly Dame Grant Siakim Nurkic type line up
1 step from a rebuild… trade Dame and let Grant walk
Either way I personally don’t see them having much success in the next 1-5 years. Think if you go all in Dame and whoever they get isn’t going to be enough and will soon be too old and expensive. If they rebuild I think their pieces of the puzzle don’t all line up correctly…
Bet interesting to see how they go…
Personally I’d go Simons, Johnson and Little or whatever cap fillers you need for DeRozan.
Keep the pick and ideally take Brandon Miller.
Moving forward you’ve done something to try get Dame help and make him happy. You’ve got Dame DeRozan Grant Nurkic and then hopefully Brandon Miller. Dames good mates with DeMare and together they could be a good fit. Yet if that doesn’t work out you kept the pick and have a core of Miller and Sharpe to start a rebuild with which together could work.
As a Trailblazer fan, I am sick and tired of statements like this: “Lillard has stated repeatedly that he wants to compete for a championship.”
No, Lillard has stated repeatedly that we enjoys the journey of being a professional basketball player. He likes competing. He wants to win in Portland because he loves the Rose City. Winning a championship is the cherry on the top. However, he does not like playing with teenagers. While Shadeon Sharpe is immensely talented, he’s still 18/19 y/o. Dame is 32 y/o. We can all understand why Dame may not like playing with kids. They won’t help him win now either. Well, maybe Sharpe can help in his second season – maybe, but adding another rookie/teenager again? Come on, folks, Dame wants some veterans to join him with the hopes of competing in 2023-24. Another season where the Blazers tank will convince Dame to ask for a trade. If the Blazers want to keep Dame beyond 23-24, then they must make the first round of the playoffs.
You’re right, but name another all-star player who would gladly sign a contract or accept a trade to Portland…
Lillard has now stated 3+ times to the media in the last 6 months that he would like to compete, contend, and most recently play in June.
And if Portland cannot do that, then he would like to be traded.
I am not sure what repeatedly means to you, but that qualifies for me!
Mavericks trade Kyrie for the number 3 and Simmons.
Either pelicans or raptors. Ask me if you want to know the trades