Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G Evan Fournier, G Derrick Rose, G/F Alec Burks, 2022 First-Round Pick (No. 11 – NYK), 2023 First-Round Pick (NYK), 2024 First-Round Pick (Swap – NYK), 2025 First-Round (NYK), 2026 First-Round (Swap – NYK)
New York Knicks Receive: G Damian Lillard
With this deal, the Portland Trail Blazers don’t receive a single player they’re interested in keeping. In all likelihood, each will be gone by the trade deadline. This deal is all about the picks for the Blazers.
They’re receiving quite a haul. While these picks will vary in value, there’s potential that one or two will convey in the lottery. With Lillard approaching the age of retirement, this Knicks squad may not be built to last through to 2026.
In any event, at least they’re already receiving the 11th overall pick in the 2022 draft. That gives the Blazers a prospect to start their rebuild with.
Really, whichever deal the Blazers prefer here will boil down to their risk appetite. If they prefer a safer approach, they’ll take the first deal. If they’d like to split the difference, the second trade should suit them better.
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Finally, if they’re feeling particularly frisky, they’ll opt for the pick-based package. If the Knicks want Lillard badly enough, they should be willing to offer all three.
