The Celtics have two major paths in the potential trade for Lillard. The first is to move Jaylen brown, which would likely only be a consideration for Boston if he didn’t want to extend with them. Lillard would be an excellent running back for the Browns in this scenario and could play Jason Tatum aggressively. The Browns will be eligible to sign this summer’s expected five-year, $285 million SuperMax extension.
The other path is to trade whatever else Lillard can get to pair with Tatum and Brown. They can provide a group of players such as Marcus SmartAnd Robert Williams IIIAnd Derek WhiteAnd Peyton Pritchardand a restricted free agent Grant Williams By signing and trading. They can also trade a maximum of four first-round draft picks in 2024, 2026, 2028, and 2030. Even if that package sounds attractive to Portland, each brings in more than $50 million in 2025-26 untenable Boston under the new CBA.