Damian Lillard seems intent on joining the Miami Heat, based on the latest NBA trade rumors. Unfortunately, the Portland Trail Blazers have no obligation to send him there. They seem to be well aware of that fact. Apparently, Portland is in no rush to get Lillard to his preferred destination.
Why would they be? Lillard is one of the best players in the history of this organization. Portland needs to be set on getting a tremendous return for him.
Meanwhile, the Heat don’t have the best offer on the market. Perhaps thats why other suitors are beginning to emerge. Recently, one of those suitors has been the Oklahoma City Thunder. Here’s a deal that gets him there.
The Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F Davis Bertans, G/F Luguentz Dort, G/F Victor Oladipo, G/F Ousmane Dieng, 2024 First-Round Pick (UTA via OKC), 2025 First-Round Pick (MIA via OKC), 2026 First-Round Pick (LAC via OKC), 2027 First-Round Pick (DEN via OKC)
Oklahoma City Thunder Receive: G Damian Lillard
On the other hand, if Lillard is intent enough on joining the Heat, nobody may be able to stop him. After all, teams will hesitate to trade for Lillard if he refuses to join them. This is the era of player empowerment. Players can force the hand.
Trading for a player who’s automatically unhappy is bad business. All Lillard has to do is get the word out that he only wants to play in Miami, and the Blazers may lose a range of suitors.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Oklahoma City Thunder & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Of course, Portland could respond by refusing to trade him. Lillard only has so many years left in his career – he’s unlikely to want to waste one. All told, this is a difficult situation for both sides to navigate. Should the Thunder present a solution?
Why The Oklahoma City Thunder Do The Deal
The Thunder may not present as the most obvious suitor for Dame. Sure, they’ve got the assets. Should they have the drive? Is this team really in a position to make this type of move, and is Lillard the right fit for them?
After all, the Thunder’s two best players over the last couple of years are both guards. On the other hand, Lillard can play off of the ball, and Josh Giddey is big enough to be a wing. This could work.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Oklahoma City Thunder & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
If it did, the Thunder could take a huge step forward. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of the best dribble penetrators in the NBA. Flanked by Lillard’s off-ball gravity, the two could make one of the most dynamic offensive duos in the NBA. Should the Blazers help the Thunder put that duo together?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
Yes. If this deal is on the table, the Blazers should take the money and run.Of course, this trade deals with a lot of hypotheticals. Let’s assume that, after a stalemate with the Blazers, Lillard agrees to expand his list of destinations. Now, let’s assume that he’s open to the Thunder.
With those terms established, this is a no-brainer for the Blazers. As a rebuilding team, they should be happy to take a flyer on Dieng. He’s flashed plenty of potential during his time in the NBA so far.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Oklahoma City Thunder & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Still, he’s practically an afterthought here. For Portland, this is about the four unprotected first-round picks. That’s an impressive haul. They just need Lillard to be open to joining a team besides the Heat.
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