As September draws to a close and the NBA’s training camps approach, the Portland Trail Blazers have been actively engaged in discussions with various NBA teams to explore potential trade options for seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard, based on information from well-informed sources.
Since Lillard first expressed his desire for a trade in July, negotiations have yet to yield a deal that would see him go to his preferred destination, Miami, or other potential landing spots such as Brooklyn. As the start of training camp and media day on October 2nd nears, this period has come to serve as an informal deadline for Portland to consider the possibility of parting ways with Lillard and commencing a new chapter for the Blazers. Interestingly, this situation has garnered more attention than the ongoing situation involving James Harden in Philadelphia, who still harbors hopes of being traded to the LA Clippers.
The Blazers possess promising young talents in the form of lottery picks Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, as well as 24-year-old scorer Anfernee Simons. Reacquiring Lillard, who is 33 years old with four years and over $200 million left on his contract, particularly after his widely publicized trade request, doesn’t seem to align with Portland’s potential transition to a new era with its existing core players. Conversely, in Philadelphia, there is a prospect of Harden reporting to camp, contributing to a championship-contending team, and potentially increasing his trade value, which is a key factor for the Sixers. It’s worth noting that Harden has expressed reservations about being part of an organization that includes Philadelphia president Daryl Morey.
Expectations are high for further developments with the Sixers, whether at their practice facility in Camden, New Jersey or during their training camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In contrast, Portland’s situation appears to be moving towards a resolution, with increased discussions regarding potential trade partners extending beyond Lillard‘s preferred destination of Miami, generating interest throughout the league. The timeline for reaching a deal will be influenced by how Portland’s general manager, Joe Cronin, and his front office navigate the complex multi-team trade scenarios that have been under consideration in recent days, as per information from league sources.
One noteworthy aspect of the evolving Lillard negotiations is Portland’s apparent interest in acquiring Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton as part of a multi-team trade for Lillard. This scenario involves sending Portland’s center, Jusuf Nurkic, back to Phoenix, which could provide the Suns with a suitable defensive anchor for their new head coach, Frank Vogel, as well as a pick-and-roll partner for their perimeter playmakers.
However, it’s worth mentioning that the Suns had previously maintained that Ayton was not available for trade during this summer, and Vogel has publicly commended Ayton’s “All-Star-level” talent. Should a trade involving Nurkic and Ayton fail to materialize, the Suns might still require Ayton to pursue a championship alongside Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. Balancing Ayton’s perceived value with the desire to avoid alienating him during trade negotiations presents a challenge for the Suns.
While the Chicago Bulls have explored trade scenarios involving Zach LaVine throughout the offseason, Portland does not appear inclined to acquire the All-Star guard. The Blazers already have a scoring-focused player in Simons, who is younger and commands a significantly lower salary than LaVine. Chicago may explore redirecting LaVine to another destination to engage with Portland, although LaVine’s availability in the market has been limited due to his salary and injury history.
Utah could play a role in multi-team scenarios related to Lillard. If Portland ultimately conducts trade business with Miami, the Utah Jazz, along with the Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets, and Brooklyn Nets, have expressed interest in acquiring Tyler Herro from the Miami Heat. The potential package from Miami could include Herro and Nikola Jovic, in addition to other assets.
In summary, it is apparent that multiple factors need to align for Damian Lillard to make a transition from the Blazers to another team in the near future. The final outcome will depend on the evaluation of what Portland’s front office considers the best available package, regardless of whether it aligns with the preferences of rival teams and fans.
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