Damian Lillard is one of the best scorers on the planet. He's a leader, a master in the clutch, and he'd make any team in the NBA an instant contender. That's why he's going to be heavily pursuit in the offseason.
There are some rumors claiming that Lillard is getting angsty and wants to win right away. He's said that his current team isn't good enough to fight for an NBA Championship right now, so, albeit unlikely, he could force his way out.
So, if the Portland Trail Blazers were to deal their superstar - who won't be a free agent for the next three years - they'd need to get a massive haul in return. Here, we break down the best trade offers they could get for Dame.
NBA Rumors: The Best Trade Offers For Damian Lillard
Los Angeles Lakers
Trade Offer: Montrezl Harrell, Kyle Kuzma, Talen Horton-Tucker, and 3 future first-round picks.
For years, Los Angeles Lakers fans have been delusional about trade offers. The truth is that no one wants to help them win or take their spare parts in return for a superstar. Then again, IF Lillard were to be traded, we'd like to think that he'd have a say in his next landing spot.
So, that's the only way the Lakers could actually get Dame. IF he's traded and IF he wants to play there, then the Lakers would undoubtedly have to part ways with Talen Horton-Tucker - arguably their only appealing piece besides LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Chicago Bulls
Trade Offer: Coby White, Lauri Markkanen, 2021 2nd-round pick, and 2 future first-round picks.
This one's a bit of a long shot but Arturas Karnisovas has proven that he's not afraid to pull the trigger and make bold moves. The Chicago Bulls are reportedly having second thoughts on Coby White as their point guard of the future, and the Lauri Markkanen experiment didn't end well.
So, the Bulls could try and make a similar trade from what they did to get Nikola Vucevic. They'd part ways with even more first-round picks while also giving the Blazers two appealing young pieces to build around and complement their roster. White has plenty of upside as a shooting guard and Markkanen could still end up being a solid player.
Miami Heat
Trade Offer: Tyler Herro, Precious Achiuwa, 2 future first-round picks, 2 future pick-swaps.
Tyler Herro's trade value took a bit of a bump this year but the upside is clearly there. If he's back to full strength, he's already shown that he can be a consistent and efficient scorer from all three levels, and that's why the Miami Heat would have to give him up in any potential trade.
Precious Achiuwa has the potential to be one of the most dominant interior presences in the league as well. He's strong, physical, and a lockdown defender in the making. Add a couple of first-round picks and pick-swaps, and the Heat could get the third star they've been looking for.
New Orleans Pelicans
Trade Offer: Brandon Ingram, Kira Lewis Jr, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, 10th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and a 2022 first-round pick.
The New Orleans Pelicans need to do whatever it takes to make Zion Williamson happy and avoid losing him as it's happened to them before, and that means making the playoffs right now. Lonzo Ball isn't likely to come back, so they need a new point guard, and Lillard is one of the best there is.
The Pelicans would hate to lose Brandon Ingram but that's the only way they could get a player like Lillard. The Blazers would get three promising pieces to start rebuilding plus a top-10 pick and another future first-rounder. This is a huge value, even for Lillard.
New York Knicks
Trade Offer: RJ Barrett, Mitchell Robinson, and 3 future first-round picks.
The New York Knicks were one of the most surprising teams this season but they came up short in the playoffs. Why? Well, because they needed a true starting-caliber point guard, some shooting, and a guy who could create his shot off the dribble. Damian Lillard checks all three boxes.
Losing RJ Barrett and Mitchell Robinson would be a blow but the Knicks need to get a superstar at Madison Square Garden. Lillard and Julius Randle would be deadly in the pick-and-roll and Nerlens Noel redeemed himself last season and proved that he can be a top-notch rim protector. Also, the Blazers would get plenty of value.
Golden State Warriors
Trade Offer: Andrew Wiggins, James Wiseman, Jordan Poole, Eric Paschall, no. 7 and no. 14 overall picks in 2021, and two future first-round picks for Damian Lillard and Robert Covington.
The Golden State Warriors have had internal discussions about trading for Damian Lillard, and while some believe that he's not a good fit next to Stephen Curry, others thinks that they'd create an offensive juggernaut similar to what the Brooklyn Nets put together for this season.
The Warriors have enough assets to pull the trigger. They can give a top-3 pick in James Wiseman, a solid two-way player in Andrew Wiggins, a promising scorer in Jordan Poole, and two lottery picks in this year's Draft. If the Blazers were to rebuild, this is perhaps the best package they could get.
Philadelphia 76ers
Trade Offer: Ben Simmons, Tyrese Maxey, Mattise Thybulle, 2 future first-round picks.
And last but not least we find the Philadelphia 76ers. The Sixers are fielding calls for Ben Simmons and would love to get a scoring guard that fits next to Joel Embiid, even if that means parting ways with the former first-overall pick. He's not the only guy to blame for yet another meltdown, but his trade value seems at an all-time low right now.
Even so, Simmons is one of the best playmakers and defenders in the league, so the Blazers should be thrilled to have him. He's young and would come paired with an All-Defensive kind of player in Mattise Thybulle and a promising scorer such as Tyrese Maxey. So, if Lillard wants to leave, this would be a deal to consider.
