Boston Celtics Receive: G Damian Lillard
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G Kemba Walker, F Aaron Nesmith, C Robert Williams III, G/F Romeo Langford, 2021 first-round pick, 2022 first-round pick swap, 2023 first-round pick (unprotected), 2024 first-round pick swap, 2025 first-round pick (unprotected)
The Boston Celtics would land Damian Lillard in this blockbuster NBA trade scenario where he would team up with Jayson Tatum…and Jaylen Brown. Greg Swartz analyzed this scenario under the context of Lillard seeking a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, to be clear, since that’s what it would require for the superstar to be dealt in the first place.
Lillard would be sent to the Celtics at the start of his four-year contract extension and will earn $39.3 million during the 2021-22 season. Despite receiving such a high-paid talent, Boston would be clearing an additional $7.7 million in salary cap spending due to them sending out $47.1 million in salary.
READ MORE: NBA Rumors: This Blazers-Warriors trade is centered on CJ McCollum to Golden State
With Kemba Walker being included in this deal, the Trail Blazers would take on $36 million in salary for next season from him alone. When factoring in Romeo Langford ($3.8), Robert Williams III ($3.6M), and Aaron Nesmith ($3.6M), it adds up fast.
The Celtics would need to pick up the final-year team-options for both Williams III and Langford in order for this to be possible NBA trade scenario. Both of those decisions are surely going to occur given how the cost is low and they each received playoff minutes.
Let’s take a look at how this NBA trade scenario centered around Damian Lillard would impact the Boston Celtics and Portland Trail Blazers.
