With sports slowly trying to get up, pundits have been left with "what ifs" scenarios on players. Among them include NBA trade rumors and one included Damian Lillard. The 29-year-old guard of the Portland Trail Blazers was the subject of a trade scenario, something that he eventually responded to.
According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, it is believed that Lillard would request a trade either to the Los Angeles Lakers or the New York Knicks. The suggestion stems from the fact that the Blazers have not made big progress since he joined Portland back in 2012. The best finish the Blazers had was reaching the Western Conference semifinals last season. They also made the playoffs the previous six seasons but things are not looking good this year.
Portland will be among the 22 teams scheduled to see action in Orland for the NBA bubble games. But looking at their record, their chances are not looking so bright. They can still pull off something but catching up to the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies will need a collective effort. Portland trails Memphis by 3.5 games.
Though it was just a suggestion, Lillard responded to the trade scenario and even took a shot at it. He said on Twitter that "This was a result of a pandemic or lack of content."
Assuming that something does get done, it would be hard to see Lillard join the Lakers. Finances are at the top of the list, seeing how the team already has LeBron James and Anthony Davis. Lillard joining the Lakers makes sense, especially considering they direly need a point guard to help out James and Davis. Los Angeles could dangle some of their lesser-used players but the Blazers would want a certified star if ever that deal lands on the table.
The Knicks could make more sense. Seeing how New York has more segway in finances, the problem there is which assets they could offer. Portland has not shown any indication of any rebuilding plans. That could change in the next months and young promising players are likely to be their preference.
For Lillard, Portland signed him throughout the end of the 2024-25 NBA season. He holds career-highs of 28.9 points, 7.8 assists per game and owns a high shooting clip from the field at 45.7 percent. Though they have been falling short the past seasons, Lillard is likely to stay on with Portland for now. But the next couple of years could sing a different tune if Blazers management wants to go in a different direction.
