In the wake of Damian Lillard requesting a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, one NBA writer has proposed that the New York Knicks acquire the seven-time All-Star.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report is proposing that the Knicks trade RJ Barrett, Immanuel Quickley, Evan Fournier, a 2024 first-round pick from the Detroit Pistons, a 2025 first-round pick and a 2027 first-round pick to the Blazers for Lillard.
“And while the fit between Lillard and Jalen Brunson would be far from perfect (that backcourt would probably be too small to lead an average defense), the offensive firepower would be terrifying,” Bailey wrote. “The presumed starting five would be able to do plenty of damage from the outside with Brunson, Lillard and Quentin Grimes, while keeping Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson would allow the Knicks to preserve their identity as a team that can dominate the offensive glass.”
The Knicks would have to start and play Lillard and Jalen Brunson together. That would be a small backcourt and defensive-minded head coach Tom Thibodeau would likely lose sleep over how easy teams would score against his backcourt.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & New York Knicks Updates
However, New York would be an offensive juggernaut with Lillard, Brunson and Julius Randle leading the way. That’s three players who can score 25-plus points in their sleep. Throw in Quentin Grimes and Mitchell Robinson next to Lillard, Brunson and Robinson, and the Knicks would have a dynamic starting unit.
New York lost to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference Semifinals in six games. Lillard wants the Blazers to trade him to the Heat, but since Dame doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, Portland can trade the future Hall of Famer anywhere.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & New York Knicks Updates
Knicks president Leon Rose used to run CAA. He surprisingly hasn’t made a blockbuster trade since joining New York. Maybe this is the summer Rose uses his connections to get the Knicks a superstar.
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