Boston Celtics: 2 franchise-altering blockbuster trades

Franchise-altering blockbuster trade No. 2: It’s Dame-Time in Boston

Unlike the last deal, which saw the team downgrade at the point guard position, this deal actually brings in one of the best players–regardless of position–in the entire league in Damian Lillard. There are very few floor generals that would be considered a legitimate upgrade at the point guard spot for the Boston Celtics with Kemba Walker in tow.

Lillard definitely qualifies as one of them, though.

Currently in the midst of his most impressive season, Lillard has been carrying much of the load for the Portland Trailblazers, who are in danger of missing the postseason for the first time since Lillard’s rookie year. This season, besides C.J. McCollum, tertiary help has been near impossible to find for the All-Star point guard.

While he has pledged loyalty to Portland, players tend to find new homes after failing to win for so long. Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki all stayed with their franchises for their career because all of them have hardware on their hands.

Lillard likely isn’t going to reach the mountaintop with the Trailblazers. After years of contending with the Golden State super-teams, he now has to overcome the Los Angeles Lakers duo of LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Clippers super-two of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, and even the Houston Rockets back-court of Russell Westbrook and James Harden.

When it comes to offering up a competitive trade package for Lillard, the C’s are at the top of the list. Yes, they do possess Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, but those players should be untouchable in just about any deal.

The only player it would make sense to deal is Boston’s own franchise point guard in Kemba Walker. Walker could immediately slide into Lillard’s role in Portland and form a tantalizing back-court with McCollum.

For the Celtics, such an upgrade at the point guard spot can open up the offense even more. Lillard is a superior distributor to Walker, averaging eight assists this season to Walker’s five. The Weber State product is also a superior 3-point shooter, averaging two percentage points better from downtown this season and owning a higher career percentage overall.

Lillard raises Boston’s ceiling even higher than it already is, and arguably pushes them into favorite territory when it comes to Eastern Conference contenders. As hard as it would be to lose Walker’s leadership, Lillard would open up a new dimension to the C’s offense and could arguably replace everything Walker brings with even more skill and accomplishments to his name.