The Boston Celtics wasted no time getting their offseason started with the acquisition of Kristaps Porzingis prior to the NBA Draft. On Draft Night, Boston continued to make moves. Brad Stevens managed to trade back in the draft multiple times in order to collect future draft compensation and allow the team to be “in the mix.”
In the end, the Celtics turned the No. 25 pick acquired from Memphis for Marcus Smart into four future second-round picks, as well as Arkansas product Jordan Walsh. Now, with the recent news of Damian Lillard’s trade request out of Portland, can the Celtics realistically pursue the superstar?
Are the Celtics a realistic landing spot for Damian Lillard?
Damian Lillard is one of the top talents in the league today. The 32-year-old is inked to a four-year, $216.2 million deal. Despite the well-known demands from Lillard that he only wants a trade to the Miami Heat, Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin made it clear the team will do what’s best for them.
"“We have been clear that we want Dame here but he notified us today he wants out and he’d prefer to play someplace else. What has not changed for us is that we’re committed to winning, and we are going to do what’s best for the team in pursuit of that goal”, said Cronin"
Not long after, ESPN’s Marc Spears made note on NBA Today that he’s heard rumblings of Celtics star Jayson Tatum campaigning Lillard on the idea of teaming up in Boston. Prior to Dame’s trade request, Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report went out on a limb to say Lillard would not play for Boston. “He’s not doing Boston”, Haynes reiterated.
Fast forward to this point in the offseason, Haynes announced on his podcast “#thisleague UNCUT” with Marc Stein that Boston has indeed called to inquire what it would take to bring Lillard to Boston.
Clippers, Timberwolves, Celtics, and Pelicans are all among teams "to reach out" about a potential Damian Lillard trade, per B/R's @ChrisBHaynes pic.twitter.com/6fFaLZwTFd
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 3, 2023
Although Lillard’s desired destination is to land with the Heat, Miami has arguably one of the worst packages to offer in the league, especially if Portland is indeed lukewarm on Tyler Herro. With a handful of teams inquiring about the point guard’s talents, it seems hard to believe that Miami will land Lillard unless the Trail Blazers choose to do right by him.
The Celtics arguably have one of the best packages available. It’s a controversial topic considering the idea of including Jaylen Brown in a deal for Lillard, but fortunately for Boston, that’s not the only package the team has at their disposal.
Boston could consider building a package around Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, Payton Pritchard, a salary filler, and draft compensation. The Cs would certainly put themselves in an interesting position moving forward, especially with the new CBA in effect.
Nonetheless, the Celtics have a variety of packages at their disposal they could offer for Lillard, but it all depends on what Brad Stevens’ long-term outlook for the team is in the future. What is the cost of bringing a championship back to Beantown? Is it worth it? Stevens will have plenty of decisions to make moving forward.