The Utah Jazz have been urged to take a big “risk” by trading for Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard, who has requested a trade. The seven-time NBA All-Star only wants to get traded to the Miami Heat, but Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report thinks the Jazz should acquire Lillard.
“Lauri Markkanen’s breakout could easily change the trajectory of Utah’s rebuild,” Bailey wrote. “When it traded Mitchell and Rudy Gobert last summer, few could have imagined the Jazz would immediately have a top-20 to -25 player on the roster for 2022-23, but that’s exactly what Markkanen was. He was one of the most efficient interior finishers and floor spacers. There were shockingly few wasted opportunities from him, and he looks like a legitimate 3, despite his 7-foot frame.
“Pairing Lillard with him would instantly give Utah one of the most dynamic offensive duos in basketball. And if Walker Kessler remained to anchor the defense, the Jazz would have the makings of something special. It’s far from a no-brainer, given the continued toughness of the Western Conference, but Utah has the assets (thanks to the Mitchell and Gobert deals) and upside to sell its fanbase on a Lillard trade.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Utah Jazz & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
The Jazz traded for John Collins from the Atlanta Hawks this summer. If they figured out a way to acquire Lillard, they would have a Big 4 of Lillard, Collins, Lauri Markkanen and Walker Kessler. Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists for the Blazers last season. He is one of the best players in the NBA. The future Hall of Famer has career averages of 25.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists.
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 Blazers are seeking four first-round picks and two quality players in return for Lillard.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Utah Jazz & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
The Blazers used Summer League in Las Vegas to get a fuller sense of the trade market for Lillard, according to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic. Portland general manager Joe Cronin told NBA reporters in Vegas that he’s willing to wait months to trade Lillard.
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