Reporter assesses chances of Boston Celtics landing trade block’s top name

ClutchPoints’s Brett Siegel was out to dispel the rumor that the Boston Celtics are close to a Damian Lillard trade amidst the franchise’s odds to land him shooting to No. 2 in the NBA behind the Miami Heat.

“For those wondering about Damian Lillard and the Celtics: Boston cannot trade Porzingis, nor Brown right now due to recently signed contracts,” Siegel prefaced before saying, “In order to make a trade work right now, the C’s would have to give up either their whole backcourt, or 3 of the following: Brogdon, White, Williams, Horford. The chances of them doing this are close to none.”

Boston traded away Marcus Smart and is now handing the point guard spot to Derrick White. Rumor has it that Jayson Tatum could get minutes at the 1 as well. Trading away all of the complementary role players next to Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis isn’t what the franchise is thinking about right now.

Damian Lillard not focused on Boston Celtics and only wants Miami

NBA insider Marc Spears revealed on the “Sports By Northwest” podcast back in August that while Tatum tried to recruit Lillard to the Boston Celtics, the All-NBA forward’s efforts were very much in vain with the Portland Trail Blazers point guard focused only on the Miami Heat.

“I think at 33 years old, he looks at the landscape of the West and it’s like ‘Mmmm… I think my chances are better to go out East, and if Miami is able to make the Finals without somebody like myself, what can they do with me?’ So, you don’t make that move unless it’s certainly a calculated risk,” Spears said. “And I know that Boston, I know Jayson Tatum has called him, try to get in his ear, but his focus is definitely on Miami.”

If Tatum couldn’t persuade Lillard to pursue a championship in Boston, and the 33-year-old exclusively wants the C’s primary playoff rival, it doesn’t sound like Brad Stevens and Co. dealing for the trade block’s top name would end well for anyone involved.