The weakest, but still realistic, Damian Lillard trade proposal the Boston Celtics could put together is still better than the best offer the Miami Heat can construct for the Portland Trail Blazers’ seven-time All-NBA point guard according to MassLive’s Brian Robb. Robb’s scenario would see the Cs send out Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams, Payton Pritchard, Luke Kornet, salary filler, three future first-round picks, and additional pick swaps/second-round picks for Lillard.
“This is probably an offer that gets topped by any team willing to include a star-level young player and/or elite picks but the Blazers get a good contract here in Williams, could spin Brogdon for other assets and bank on some long-term draft capital from Boston,” Robb prefaced before saying, “It’s a better offer than the Heat but unlikely to top other deals the Blazers see in negotiations. Still, its an offer worth making if other teams drop out of the mix.”
Lillard requested a trade on July 1, and according to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, Jimmy Butler reportedly “relayed to the team weeks ago that Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard should be the No. 1 target this offseason.”
The Boston Celtics would have the league’s best lineup if Trail Blazers ever took this package
Robb later pitched more realistic packages in his piece that included deals involving Derrick White and Jaylen Brown, and as much as it hurts to say, the aforementioned proposal wouldn’t fly for Portland to land its franchise star. Lillard has rejected interest in the Boston Celtics before in favor of the Heat and Brooklyn Nets, and a fresh report from ESPN’s Ramona Shelbourne says the floor general has a “deep respect” for the San Antonio Spurs organization.
The Heat is Lillard’s preference here. But he also has a deep respect for the San Antonio Spurs organization, sources told ESPN. https://t.co/IXhiZwJ24V
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 1, 2023
The likelihood is low that Lillard ends up donning the same colors once done by Bill Russell and Larry Bird. If for some reason, though, the Trail Blazers front office decided to allow Brad Stevens to continue to rob the Association’s other front offices time and again since taking over in 2021, the Celtics would have the best starting five by a country mile.
Lillard-White-Brown-Jayson Tatum-Kristaps Porzingis rivals some of the C’s all-time starting lineups, and some of the best lineups ever. At least on paper. And Al Horford would come off the bench. My goodness.