Boston Celtics: Kendrick Perkins wants Cs to pursue Damian Lillard

The 2020-21 season officially concluded last night for two more NBA franchises after the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns eliminated the Portland Trailblazers and Los Angeles Lakers, respectively, from the postseason. The Blazers were unable to force a game seven in their series, being downed on their home floor. The Lakers, like the Boston Celtics, were sent packing in five games after an injury-riddled season following a deep playoff run in the Lake Buena Vista bubble last summer into the fall.

Perhaps all the ailments affecting both 17x title-winning champions were a result of playing deep into September and turning around to start the season in December.

Given the ailments both teams were dealing with, it’s fair to assume that there could be a stark turnaround next season for both historical pillars. Normalcy is returning across the board and seeing L.A. and–even more so–the Celtics returning to the top of the standings would bring comfortable familiarity back to the NBA.

The quickest way for either team to return to their winning ways would be an upgrade in the backcourt. The Cs got inconsistent play from Kemba Walker this past season, which much of it being contributed to his knee injury that first flared at the beginning of 2020 and raged on in the bubble last summer despite months of lockdown-forced rest. It caused Walker to have a delayed start to the 2020-21 season, and it took a while for him to find his rhythm.

The Lakers, on the other hand, simply didn’t have the same smooth backcourt fit that they had in 2019-20. Dennis Schröder was supposed to come in and make life easier for LeBron James, but instead, he often stepped on the “king’s” toes whenever James was able to play through an ankle injury. L.A. would have likely been better off keeping James as the de facto point guard and empowered him with 3-point snipers on the wing as they did in 2020 deploying Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Danny Green as starters.

Both the Boston Celtics and Lakers may have a simple way to rectify things, though. Damian Lillard posted a cryptic message on his Instagram, quoting departed rap legend Nipsey Hussle:

"“How long should I stay dedicated? How long til opportunity meet preparation”"

Posting that right after a first-round playoff elimination has sent the rumor mill into a frenzy, and for good reason. NBA players do love using social media to hint at their emotions and future plans.

If Lillard actually does want a new opportunity, though, Kendrick Perkins believes both Boston and Los Angeles should pursue the 6x All-Star:

Will new Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens come up with the necessary package to make such a league-shifting deal?

It’s the offseason folks, so strap in and see where the transaction cycle takes us.