Spears: Jayson Tatum has called Damian Lillard since trade request

Marc Spears stated on the Oregonian’s Sports activities by Northwest podcast that Jayson Tatum contacted Damian Lillard, making an attempt to recruit him to the Boston Celtics. Tatum and Boston’s curiosity in Lillard had been beforehand reported, however Lillard stays intent on Miami and it’s unclear how Boston may pull off a commerce given Portland’s dissatisfaction with the Warmth’s potential affords.

“I believe at 33 years previous, (Lillard) appears on the panorama of the West and it’s like, ‘I believe my chances are high higher to exit East, and if Miami is ready to make the Finals with out someone like myself, what can they do with me?’ … I do know that Boston — I do know Jayson Tatum has known as him, tried to get in his ear, however his focus is unquestionably on Miami,” Spears stated.

The Celtics and Jaylen Brown agreeing on an extension final month made Brown ineligible to be traded for one yr. Derrick White wouldn’t enchantment to Portland as a veteran on a two-year contract. Matching cash would require sending Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, Al Horford and Payton Pritchard whereas retaining White. It’s additionally price contemplating an eventual Lillard commerce may embrace shifting Jusuf Nurkic’s three-year, $54.3 million deal in a bigger commerce. Boston would even have to supply all of its future draft capital.

That’s the price of making a four-star tremendous group. Wouldn’t it overpower the league’s different contenders like Denver, or show too skinny at this stage to play anybody besides its stars? Boston would wish to discover a minimal backup huge like Christian Wooden in that situation for injury-prone Kristaps Porzingis.

White may assist spell Lillard, with none depth behind them. Sam Hauser, Oshae Brissett and Jordan Walsh would stay as wing depth. Boston’s curiosity in Lillard nearly undoubtedly lays prior to now, with a luxurious tax and roster transformation that enormous inconceivable with camp looming in a single month.

Miami maintains some urgency to get this executed after they misplaced Gabe Vincent, Max Strus and didn’t purchase different reinforcements this summer time. Seeing Lillard in a Warmth uniform, given Miami’s success towards the Celtics since 2020, ought to frighten Boston, however not sufficient to maneuver the earth to step in entrance of the Warmth with an aggressive supply.

Tatum’s particular person curiosity in including Lillard in all probability transcends the entrance workplace’s and occurred prior to now. Chris Haynes additionally famous earlier this summer time, requested about Boston as a vacation spot, that Lillard received’t be going to the Celtics.

“I believe (Lillard) leads to Miami,” Spears stated later within the podcast.