In the wake of Damian Lillard requesting a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, one NBA writer has proposed that the Utah Jazz trade for the seven-time All-Star.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report is proposing that the Jazz trade Collin Sexton, Kelly Olynyk, a 2025 first-round pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves, a 2027 first-round pick from the Timberwolves and a 2029 first-round pick from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Blazers for Lillard.
“Small-market teams that are already in rebuild mode don’t often go all-in for stars, because the big-name players usually have a say in their destination, and there’s typically the prospect of an exit around the corner,” Bailey wrote. “But Lillard is under contract through at least 2026, he played his college basketball at Utah’s Weber State University and there seems to be an affinity between the player and the people of that state. That’d likely grow even stronger if he had the opportunity to play there with All-Star starter Lauri Markkanen and a rising rim-protector in Walker Kessler.
“Those three and a few solid role players would almost certainly give the Jazz a better shot at contention than Lillard’s last two Blazers teams did.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Utah Jazz Updates
The Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers and Jazz are interested in trading for Lillard, who wants to get traded to the Miami Heat, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. Utah acquired a bevy of draft picks last summer when the franchise traded Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, so the front office could offer Portland an intriguing trade package for Lillard.
The Jazz recently traded for John Collins from the Atlanta Hawks. If they figured out a way to acquire Lillard, they would have a Big 4 of Lillard, Collins, Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Utah Jazz Updates
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists this past season. He is one of the best players in the NBA. The guard has career averages of 25.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
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