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3 wild trades that we want to see this NBA off-season

By Jonathan Lurensky

Jan 18, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) knocks the ball away from Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2022; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (23) knocks the ball away from Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) during the third quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 31, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) watches players warm up prior to the game against the Sacramento Kings at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Wild trades we want to see this NBA offseason: 2. A Damian Lillard trade

After years of middling play for the Trail Blazers, it is time for them to trade Damian Lillard. Yes, the Blazers do have the third overall pick to improve this team but unless they trade for veteran All-NBA player this team will not get much better. Pascal Siakam would be a player to watch for but the salary is a bit hard to match without giving up Anfernnee Simons.

Lillard says he wants to stay in Portland and wants them to trade for veterans to help chase a title. But it’s hard to see any reasonable deals that actually get them there. As unlikely as it might be, trading Lillard is probably better for their future.

Teams where it would be wild to see him get traded to would include the Miami Heat, New York Knicks among other teams in the NBA.

Although the Heat would be committing a lot of future luxury tax money (with a CBA that is geared to hurt teams with high salary caps via the tax), this would put the Heat on another level.

The New York Knicks are missing another star to pair with Brunson and Lillard would be interesting, even if the fit is rough. The lack of defense on a team that has a back-court with Lillard and Brunson would be terrible. Also, the Knicks would most likely be losing one of their top defenders in R.J. Barrett in any deal.

One other potential option would be the L.A Clippers. With Lillard wanting to stay out on the west coast, the Clippers would be perfect. They do not have a crazy amount of picks left but as every year goes by they start to have more tradable picks. They have a lot of good expiring contracts this season that could be used as salary filler in any trade.

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