As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Portland Trail Blazers are heading toward a crossroads that will determine the fate of the franchise for the foreseeable future.
Once the new front office is set, what will they do with franchise icon, superstar point guard Damian Lillard?
The organization has made everyone other than Lillard available in a trade before the NBA trade deadline in February. Lillard has shot down any rumors that have popped up about him eventually requesting a trade. However, things will come to a head this offseason.
Lillard is seeking a contract extension that would make him the highest-paid player in the NBA into his mid-30s.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Blazers’ Damian Lillard Wants To Become NBA’s Highest Paid Player
That extension would signal that the Trail Blazers are committed to him and trying to build a winning roster around him. If the front office isn’t comfortable giving him that record extension, a trade could be on the horizon.
For the long-term betterment of the franchise, trading Lillard may be the right thing to do. There is a lot of work to do before this roster is ready to contend for a championship. The best way to stock it could be trading Lillard, who would bring back a good collection of assets.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Blazers’ Damian Lillard Wants To Become NBA’s Highest Paid Player
Should Portland make him available, there would be a ton of teams interested in acquiring him. Lillard would turn numerous teams in the league into instant contenders. Would one of the interested teams be the Boston Celtics?
Let’s take a look at a hypothetical deal that would land Lillard in Beantown with the Celtics.
