Once again, Damian Lillard willed the Portland Trail Blazers into playoff contention but his season came to an end at the hands of the Denver Nuggets. Clearly, no one can win on his own in the NBA.
The Blazers parted ways with coach Terry Stotts and are likely to go through some major changes in the offseason. They have to surround Lillard with better talent or thinking about a rebuild.
Several people around the league believe that Dame’s frustration could lead him to force a trade out of Rip City, and Marc Berman of The New York Post said that the New York Knicks are a team to keep an eye on in the hypothetical Lillard sweepstakes.
New York Knicks Could Trade For Damian Lillard
“The Knicks have five first-round picks over the next three years. In the upcoming draft, they have three picks in the top 31 — including two first-rounders at 19 and 21. The Knicks are likely willing to include three first-round picks in a Lillard deal and have the cap space to make a transaction smoother mathematically,” read the report.
The New York Knicks were one of the most surprising teams this season. Coach Tom Thibodeau brought his tough defensive style to the Big Apple and they made a nice run. Nonetheless, the lack of a primary ball-handler and shot-creator hurt them in the playoffs.
New York have enough assets to make an appealing trade offer, while also giving Lillard a core that better fits his skill set. They have bruisers in the paint and are just a playmaker and shooter away from being a legit contender. Lillard checks both boxes.
Dame has repeatedly stated that he intends to play for the Blazers until his retirement. But we’ve heard and seen that story multiple times in the league before. So let’s keep an eye on this story.
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