NBA Rumors: 5 best trade destinations for Damian Lillard to win championship
Damian Lillard wants out. Which teams can deliver what he desires: a chance to win the NBA championship?
The Portland Trail Blazers were stuck between a rock and a hard place after using the No. 3 overall pick on Scoot Henderson in last month’s NBA Draft. It always felt like a matter of time until Damian Lillard finally asked out.
Now, here we are. Lillard is on his way out the door, with the Miami Heat listed as his preferred destination. But, here’s the thing about requesting a trade with four years left on your contract: the market will extend well beyond your preferred destination, and ultimately your team holds all the cards.
Portland will listen to offers from multiple suitors who inquire about the 32-year-old. Lillard is coming off the best individual season of his career, averaging 32.2 points and 7.3 assists on 64.5 TS% — absurd numbers even by today’s inflated standards.
Lillard’s arrival would transform several teams into contenders, but these five feel like the best destinations if he wants to win the championship.
No. 5 Damian Lillard trade destination: Oklahoma City Thunder
Hear me out!
OKC has more assets than any team in the NBA. Good young players? Check. A bounty of future first-round picks? Double check. The Thunder aren’t all that far from competing either, and Lillard could immediately push them into the upper echelon of the Western Conference.
Trading for Lillard doesn’t really fit with Sam Presti’s patient, organic style of GMing, but it’s hard to deny the appeal of Lillard as a bridge from the present to the future. In the short term, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is probably the ideal Lillard co-star — a frequent paint touch playmaker who can help Lillard transition to more off-ball duties as he ages. SGA is also a tremendous defender.
OKC’s litany of big, versatile athletes can help cover for Lillard’s weaknesses on the defensive end. Let’s say the trade is built around Josh Giddey. OKC can still keep Chet Holmgren, a mobile 7-footer with elite rim protection instincts and a silky 3-point stroke. Jalen Williams was Rookie of the Year runner-up. Lu Dort made the All-Defense team. Cason Wallace, the reigning No. 10 pick, could follow in Dort’s footsteps.
The Thunder are loaded with quality depth at every position and genuine star power. Lillard immediately puts OKC on the contending map. This is way outside the box, but hey — not many teams can match OKC’s best offer if the Thunder decide to get aggressive.