Boston Celtics: Ranking the top 5 Damian Lillard trade destinations

#2 Damian Lillard trade destination: Boston Celtics

If the Boston Celtics choose to include Jaylen Brown in any hypothetical deal, they will thrust themselves to the top of any Damian Lillard trade conversation. Without him, there isn’t much hope a deal would get done.

Brown has #1 option potential in Portland, and he and C.J. McCollum likely wouldn’t have problems sharing the ball in the backcourt. Both operate similarly in the midrange game, but neither has any issues deferring to their star teammates. Brown and McCollum both function as sidekicks in their current offensive schemes.

As for Lillard in Boston, he would take a considerable amount of stress off of the shoulders of Jayson Tatum. There could be some awkward growing pains along the way, but the scoring potential would be prolific.

The Boston Celtics are not the best option though…

#1 Damian Lillard trade destination: New York Knicks

The city of New York has immortalized (and tossed away just as quickly because, you know, fickle) guys like Amar’e Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony in the past for coming to the Knicks and becoming the #1 option. Julius Randle is the new toast of the town, though his postseason performance may have altered that status.

Damian Lillard would be nothing short of a deity in NY if he were to don the orange and blue and take the Madison Square Garden court for the home team. They wouldn’t win anything, but the Knicks would be one of the most must-watch teams in the league.