Grade the Trade: Celtics land Damian Lillard in mock 3-team blockbuster

Grade the Trade: Celtics land Damian Lillard in mock 3-team blockbuster: Trail Blazers grade

If the Portland Trail Blazers are serious about simply taking the best return for Damian Lillard, regardless of his request, this could be up there on their list of ideas.

Incoming: Robert Williams, Grant Williams (S&T), Payton Pritchard, Tim Hardaway Jr., Reggie Bullock, Three first-round picks (via BOS), One first-round pick (via DAL), Two first-round pick swaps (via BOS)

Outgoing: Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic

Robert Williams would be the prize in this deal, as not only is he a Defensive Player of the Year-caliber player at a position of need for Portland, but he’s on an amazing contract.

Portland could sign Grant Williams to around $18 million a season and feel okay with it, as he would help shore up their defense as well while also providing a nice kick-out option at the three-point line for Scoot Henderson and Anfernee Simons.

Payton Pritchard would head back home, as he is from the Pacific Northwest, and would be a quality backup for them to roll out behind Henderson and Simons.

Tim Hardaway Jr. and Reggie Bullock are in the deal as salary fillers. The Trail Blazers could find another trade for Hardaway Jr., and since Bullock only has a year left on his deal, they could always just waive him or buy him out of his contract.

The picks are the real difference-maker in this deal, as the Trail Blazers would add four firsts and two first-round pick swaps. Plus, since they are seemingly reluctant to take on Tyler Herro’s contract, this deal is better in that regard, too.

Grade: A-

Potential rotation

Starters: Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, Jerami Grant, Robert Williams

Bench: Payton Pritchard, Tim Hardaway Jr., Matisse Thybulle, Reggie Bullock, Nassir Little, Grant Williams, Kris Murray