Damian Lillard Trade Odds (Where Will He Play Next?)

The Portland Trail Blazers have begun to revamp their roster at the NBA’s trade deadline, dealing Norman Powell, Robert Covington and C.J. McCollum already in the past week. 

Could Damian Lillard be next?

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowksi, the Blazers are hoping to re-tool around Lillard this coming offseason, but with the superstar guard likely out for most, if not all of the rest of the 2021-22 season, could Portland decide to enter full rebuild mode this offseason?

Dame’s name was a hot option on the trade block this past offseason, but he ultimately wasn’t traded. The Blazers superstar hasn’t asked out, but it could help both parties if Lillard is in a new uniform next season. 

Let’s set some odds on his next team: 

Odds Where Will Damian Lillard Play Next?

Portland Trail Blazers (-125)

The Blazers open as the favorite since they apparently want to build a better roster around Lillard, but outside of cap room the Blazers really didn’t net much in assets in their two trades. 

Portland did get a couple young guys in Keon Johnson, Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Josh Hart, but there’s some serious questions as to how much the first two players will contribute. 

Not only that, but some of Portland’s cap space figures to go to impressive young guard Anfernee Simons who will be a restricted free agent this offseason. 

I think Dame may start the 2022-23 season with the Blazers just because the logistics of a trade are tough with his contract, but there are plenty of formidable suitors… 

Los Angeles Lakers (+250)

This move was floated this past offseason, and with Russell Westbrook struggling mightily, the Los Angeles Lakers could definitely upgrade by trading for Lillard. 

The question is, does Los Angeles have enough for a deal? Lillard’s contract matches with Westbrook’s and he is one of a few players that can actually be moved in essentially a one-for-one deal. 

Los Angeles may need to part with Talen Horton-Tucker and definitely at least one first-round pick, but this is one way the Blazers could give Dame a chance to contend for a title at his next destination. 

New York Knicks (+325)

The New York Knicks are desperate for a competent point guard, and Derrick Rose’s absence this season has accentuated that need. 

New York could package several players together to get Lillard, but unless the Blazers are high on Immanuel Quickley, Obi Toppin, Cam Reddish or Quentin Grimes, the Knicks likely need to give up RJ Barrett to get this deal done. 

That’s one step forward, two steps back for the Knicks, but I wouldn’t put it past them after the disaster the 2021-22 season has been.  

Philadelphia 76ers (+500)

The Sixers fall on this list because they seem to be focused on landing James Harden, whether it be this season or in the offseason, in a deal for Ben Simmons. 

However, Plan B could be Lillard, who is on Daryl Morey’s short list of stars he would accept in a Simmons swap. 

Simmons gives the Blazers an under-contract star, but it certainly lowers their ceiling as a team. Dame would fit with the Blazers and Joel Embiid, but they’d be sacrificing defensively by making this deal. 

Boston Celtics (+2000)

There aren’t many teams that have the means or a reason to trade for Dame, but Boston is an interesting case. 

Jaylen Brown will have just two years left on his deal after the 2021-22 season, and if Boston really thinks it’s time for a change, it could try to swap Brown for Lillard. 

I don’t think this happens, hence the long odds, but Boston has the means and the potential reasoning to get Lillard if it flames out in the postseason again this year.