Home Basketball In a massive blσckbᴜster deal, the Lakers have acquired Damian Lillard from the Blazers

In a massive blσckbᴜster deal, the Lakers have acquired Damian Lillard from the Blazers

Basketball — 09/15/2023

One NBA writer has suggested that the Los Angeles Lakers make a massive blockbuster trade with the Portland Trail Blazers to obtain Damian Lillard. Fadeaway World’s Eddie Bitar suggested the following deal for the Lakers and the Blazers:

The Lakers of Los Angeles Damian Lillard, please accept.

D’Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and a First-Round Pick in 2029 were traded to the Portland Trail Blazers.

To play for the Heat, Lillard has requested a trade from the Blazers. Since Lillard does not have a no-trade clause in his deal, Portland is free to transfer the future Hall of Famer anywhere. Lillard, who last season averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists, is the primary target of the Blazers’ trade demands.

In the summer of 2021, LeBron James and Anthony Davis approached Damian Lillard about joining the Los Angeles Lakers. Lillard thought about leaving the Blazers for the offer, but eventually decided to stay. Meanwhile, Russell Westbrook was traded to the Lakers from the Wizards.

In July of 2019, Lillard inked a four-year, $176 million contract deal with the Portland Trail Blazers. This was followed by an agreement for $121.8 million over two years that the All-NBA guard signed in July of 2022. The Oakland native believed it was time to ask to be traded after having a stellar year. Lillard is disappointed that the Blazers did not use the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft to acquire a high-profile player. With the third overall pick, Portland selected Scoot Henderson, a player who can fill Lillard’s role on the court.

The 2023 Western Conference Finals were a four-game sweep for the Denver Nuggets over the Los Angeles Lakers. Having Lillard join LeBron and Davis in the Los Angeles offense would be devastating. Lillard, though, has his sights set only on playing for the Heat, therefore the Lakers are unlikely to make a deal for him.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, an NBA insider, Lillard still wants to be traded to the Heat despite the league’s initiative to warn Lillard and his agent that any further comments “suggesting Lillard will not fully perform the services called for under his player contract in the event of a trade” will be subject to discipline.