Portland Trail Blazers

The drama surrounding the Portland Trail Blazers never seems to end. Even after moving CJ McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans, the front office still finds itself in NBA trade rumors. This will happen until a final decision is made on Damian Lillard.

There is still a sense that the Blazers could find a trade partner and if they do, the Los Angeles Lakers will be interested.

Lillard and the Lakers have been linked in the past but he never requested a trade. It was clear that Portland would not decide to make this move on its own. Also, Lillard would be the main piece of this trade, not Russell Westbrook. That means Portland would be able to ask for multiple draft picks back as well.

That is the intrigue of this deal for a team that is currently 27-51 and 13th in the West. Yes, there is the emotional side of the game but are the Portland Trail Blazers interested in rebuilding or keeping Lillard around for other reasons? 

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Westbrook is not the type of player that the Portland Trail Blazers might be looking for but if the Lakers make a push for Lillard, he will have to be involved. From the perspective of the Blazers, the draft capital could make it happen. This is if Portland cannot find a deal for a promising young player or two.

It can always decide to flip Russell Westbrook once the draft picks are acquired. This could be in the ballpark of two or three first-round picks along with Westbrook and his massive contract.

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The decisions are not over for the Portland Trail Blazers and they could come quickly in the offseason if teams are calling for Lillard.