Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard to NYK would be key to rebuild
Justin Chaires
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Staff Reactions
Such a drastic proposal deserves some peer review. We asked some of our other contributors what they thought about this trade proposal.
Rob Ryan
I wouldn’t be ok with this trade. The only reason I think that Portland would move Lillard is if they thought they could have CJ start at point guard. In a Lillard trade, Portland has to get a big bounty of assets and at least one all-star caliber player in return.
What Portland gets back doesn’t move the needle and simply waves the white flag for a complete rebuild. As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, I think CJ is playing out of position. If he were to play full-time PG with the starters, including another All-Star player to replace Lillard, this team might be able to better re-tool and compete.
Teresa Powe
No, for the Knicks. New York Knicks management won’t do what the Blazers did and give up their future. They’re building. Yes, Julius Randle needs help, and they need a point guard. From everything I’ve seen, that will be someone young. Think of Thibs and his system. They must fit in his system.
Ed Stein
I kind of like the trade, but the Trail Blazers should get more in return. First, NYK can keep Knox and Ntilikina; neither of them is a consistent contributor. Despite what Justin said earlier, Mitchell Robinson would have to come to Rip City as would RJ Barrett. Also, the Knicks 2023 second-round pick gets upgraded to a first if New York makes the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022 or 2023.
Chip Clark
Interesting idea. New York needs Dame more than Portland needs to trade him. This is a decent haul, but I agree that Robinson has to part of the trade. The kid is a beast. A third team makes this work better without either New York or Portland making big changes to the proposed deal.
Why it starts with Dame
Nobody in Rip City is anxious to see Lillard leave. Let’s face it Dame worth more than anyone Portland had on their roster in decades. Moving him alone is enough to start a rebuild. Besides, his trade value may never be as high as it is now.
McCollum and Norman Powell can move back to their natural point and shooting guard positions. At the same time, the team can start transitioning to Anfernee Simons as their backcourt leader. If Simons takes to his role quickly, one of the two returning veteran guards could move for another number one at the trade deadline.
Robert Covington could also bring back a nice package. So would Jusuf Nurkic. It all has to start with Dame, though. Portland can’t remake their team with him on the roster.
In Closing
When all is said and done, Damian Lilliard is the face of the Portland Trail Blazers. Early exits from the playoffs mean that either the frustration is mounting for all parties, or the organization failed to get Lilliard the pieces and coach he needed. The time is drawing near to make moves.
The Knicks have the treasure chest to entice the Blazers and Dame. Now it’s up to all parties to make it work.
What do you think about the Portland Trail Blazers trading Damian Lillard to New York? Let us know in the comments section below or on social media.