Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G D’Angelo Russell, C Naz Reid, F Jaden McDaniels, 2023 First-Round Pick (MIN), 2025 First-Round Pick (MIN), 2027 First-Round Pick (MIN)
Minnesota Timberwolves Receive: G Damian Lillard
If the Minnesota Timberwolves do trade for Damian Lillard, they’ll almost certainly be sending D’Angelo Russell back in return.
There are two reasons for that. Firstly, he’s the only player that the Wolves can use to easily match his contract besides Karl-Anthony Towns. Trading for Dame at the expense of KAT would be entirely counterproductive.
The second reason is that they play the same position. Russell is not a particularly strong off-ball player. He’s an inconsistent three-point shooter. A backcourt of Russell and Lillard doesn’t feel like a viable option, so getting him off the team in this situation would be preferable.
On the other hand, the Portland Trail Blazers may not want him either. If they’re starting a full-blown rebuild, they may see acquiring the 26-year-old veteran as senseless.
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In that event, these two sides could invite a third team to the party to make a deal work.
