It was the Rolling Stones who once said that “you can’t always get what you want.” That applies to everybody – even NBA stars. Sure, they have access to a lot, and they earn it. Still, even the best players in the NBA can’t get everything that they want.
Apparently, Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers wants to join the Miami Heat. Fair enough. He’d make a great acquisition to the recent NBA Finalists.
Will he get what he wants? It’s hard to say. It feels likely that Lillard will land on Miami, but it isn’t certain. The Blazers, in theory, could trade him anywhere. Here are three dark horse suitors for his services.
Boston Celtics
Lillard may want to go to the Heat. Above all else, he probably wants to go to a team that he can contend for an NBA title with – that happens to need him.
The Celtics tick the first box. They’re already title contenders, and adding Lillard could make them favorites. Do they tick that second box? We think so. The Celtics have struggled in the playoffs due to a lack of ball handling in recent years. Lillard is one of the best point guards in the NBA. The Celtics need him, and he needs a team like the Celtics.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Do the Celtics have the assets to trade for him? That’s a different question. If Lillard’s market is depressed by his insistence on joining Miami, they might. If his market opens up, this next team would certainly have the means to acquire him.
San Antonio Spurs
We’re actually not the first to suggest this. Apparently, Lillard has great admiration for Gregg Popovich. Who doesn’t? Pop is one of the best head coaches in NBA history. Of course, that might not be enough to entice Lillard to join a rebuilding team.
Could Victor Wembanyama? He’s probably the key to this. If Lillard believes that the potentially generational prospect could start to hit his stride before he ages out of his prime, he could be interested in this situation.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
At the same time, that’s a bold gamble. Wembanayama is very young, and Lillard is near the end of his career. On those grounds, this might not be a perfect match. How about this next team?
Philadelphia 76ers
Of course, Lillard isn’t the only star point guard with a trade request. He’s not the only one insisting on joining one team, either. James Harden wants out of Philadelphia. Apparently, he’s only interested in joining the Los Angeles Clippers. Keeping Joel Embiid happy is suddenly a concern for the Sixers.
Could they work something out here? Lillard has more trade value than Harden, sure. He’s generally seen as less volatile, and he still looks like his prime self.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
What about Harden and an unprotected first-round pick? Does that approximate Lillard’s value? Portland won’t be interested in that package, but with enough effort, the Sixers could land Lillard in a multi-team team. Even if that’s not exactly what he wants.
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