The biggest story of the offseason involves the standing of Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard. If the Blazers decide to move Lillard, the 32-year-old guard becomes the best player on the market. Which team will end up with Lillard? Below, we explore Damian Lillard’s next team prospects.
The Blazers must decide to pick Damian Lillard before the NBA draft
“I agree that those (Mikal Bridges, Pascal Siakam and Jaylen Brown) are the three primary targets for (the Blazers) when it comes to deals involving the third pick, and I think there’s a reasonable chance that something will get done with one of them.” 👀
(free … pic.twitter.com/8Ze0nQXSxO
– NBACentral (TheNBACentral) May 29, 2023
Whether the Blazers keep or trade Lillard, Portland needs to make a decision on the direction of its franchise ahead of the June 22nd NBA draft.
The Blazers hold the No. 3 pick in the draft. If they keep the selection, the MVP available will be either Brandon Miller or Scott Henderson. Lillard has stated that he does not want to play alongside developing players. He is interested in playing for a team that can win the championship.
The Blazers could try to piece together another talented player third option to pair with Lillard. Brooklyn’s Michal Bridges, Toronto’s Pascal Siakam and Boston’s Jaelyn Brown are three players the Blazers are targeting in a deal that includes the third pick.
Next team prospects Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard says Miami is his first choice over Boston, New York and Brooklyn in a hypothetical deal.
“Bam Ho Dougie”
(via @show time ) pic.twitter.com/9XhBZq3kIp
– NBACentral (TheNBACentral) June 7, 2023
If the Blazers were trading Lillard, where would it be?
The Miami Heat (+200) are the favorites to get Lillard. The Heat Culture is the kind of team that embraces Lillard’s hard-working mentality. Having lost twice in the last four NBA Finals, Lillard is the caliber of player Miami needs to win the championship.
The Brooklyn Nets (+300) and New York Knicks (+300) are just behind the Heat, according to odds makers at BetOnline. The Nets and Knicks have many first-round picks and young players, two things the Blazers need in a trade.
on Showtime is the last standLillard listed Miami and Brooklyn as his top two destinations if the Blazers decided to trade him.
View the full list of odds via BetOnline.