The NBA world was turned on its head with the information that Damian Lillard had lastly, after 11 seasons, requested to be traded from the Portland Path Blazers. Whereas the Miami Warmth are the clear frontrunners to land Lillard, the San Antonio Spurs reportedly have an outdoor probability of buying him.
Though the Spurs are coming off their worst season in franchise historical past, they only drafted Victor Wembanyama first general and determine to have an enormous turnaround subsequent season. That alone in all probability wouldn’t be sufficient to attract Lillard to San Antonio, however his relationship with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich could be after he coaches him within the 2020 Olympics. Convincing Lillard to return to San Antonio is one factor, however the Blazers are one other. Let’s check out a possible Spurs-Blazers commerce.
What might the Spurs provide the Blazers for Lillard?
Path Blazers Get
Keldon Johnson, Doug McDermott
2024 first (by way of Toronto, top-six protected)
2025 first (by way of Chicago, top-10 protected), 2024 first (by way of Charlotte, top-14 protected)
Not like Miami, the Spurs have loads of draft belongings that would curiosity the Blazers, together with Keldon Johnson. Johnson is a rising star who’s coming off a profession season during which he averaged a terrific 22 factors and 5 rebounds per recreation. He may even quickly begin an inexpensive four-year extension, an added bonus. The 23-year-old is arguably a greater commerce asset than something the Warmth has to supply, outdoors of Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo, each of whom aren’t on the commerce block.
Add in three future firsts: a top-six protected first from Toronto in 2024, Charlotte’s top-14 protected first in 2024, and a top-10 protected first from Chicago in 2025, and the Spurs might need the very best provide for Lillard. Whereas Portland would possibly wish to do proper by the very best participant in franchise historical past, turning down a suggestion that includes a gifted younger participant in Johnson, two seemingly lottery picks, and one other first from Charlotte would possibly make them assume twice. Particularly if the very best the Warmth can provide is Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, and two firsts.
Even with a 3rd workforce concerned, the return from a Lillard commerce won’t eclipse what San Antonio can provide. If Lillard is basically open to taking part in in San Antonio, the aforementioned provide wouldn’t intestine the Spurs, and so they might trot out a gifted beginning lineup of Lillard, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Victor Wembanyama, and Zach Collins subsequent season.
That unorthodox lineup would function three gamers 6’9 or taller, together with a 7’4 large in Wembanyama, probably permitting them to construct a top-10 protection, even with Lillard. On the opposite facet of the ball, the Spurs would have sufficient taking pictures round Lillard and Wembanyama to craft a top-tier offense, relying on how good Wemby is out of the gate.
Whether or not the Spurs have an opportunity within the Lillard sweepstakes finally comes right down to Portland. He’s underneath contract for not less than the following three seasons, and whereas he has some say in the place he performs subsequent, Portland might play hardball, forcing Miami to both up their provide or Lillard to broaden his listing of groups. If the latter occurs, then San Antonio would possibly simply have an opportunity.
Revealed on 07/02/2023 at 16:00 PMLast up to date at 07/02/2023 at 16:00 PM
