The NBA world has been turned upside down with the news that Damian Lillard has finally, after 11 seasons, He asked to be traded from the Portland Trail Blazers. While the Miami Heat are favorites to beat Lillard, the San Antonio Spurs have an outside chance of getting him.
Despite the Spurs coming off their worst season in franchise history, they drafted Victor Wimpanyama first overall and marked a huge turnaround next season. That alone probably wouldn’t be enough to lure Lillard to San Antonio, but his relationship with Spurs coach Gregg Popovich might be after he coached him at the 2020 Olympics. Convincing Lillard to come to San Antonio is one thing, but the Blazers are another. Let’s take a look at a possible trade for Tottenham.
What can the Tottenham Blazers offer Lillard?
Get the Trail Blazers
Keldon Johnson, Doug McDermott
2024 first (via Toronto, top six protected)
2025 first (through Chicago, top 10 protected), 2024 first (through Charlotte, top 14 protected)
Unlike Miami, the Spurs have plenty of drawing assets that could be of interest to the Blazers, including Keldon Johnson. Johnson is a rising star coming off a career season in which he averaged 22 points and 5 rebounds per game. Also starting soon is a cheap four-year extension, which is an added bonus. The 23-year-old is arguably a better trading asset than anything the Heat has to offer, outside of Jimmy Butler or Bam Adebayo, neither of whom are not on the trading block.
Add in three future firsts: a top-10 protected first from Toronto in 2024, a top-14 protected first from Charlotte in 2024, and a top-10 protected first from Chicago in 2025, and the Spurs might have the best possible offer for Lillard. While Portland might want to get it right by the best player in franchise history, turning down an offer featuring a talented young player in Johnson, two potential lottery picks, and another from Charlotte might make them think twice. Especially if the best the Heat has to offer is Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson and a couple of top-flights.
Even with a third team involved, the return from the Lillard trade may not beat what San Antonio has to offer. If Lillard is really open to playing in San Antonio, the aforementioned offer won’t kill the Spurs, and they can field a talented starting lineup of Lillard, Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Victor Wimpanyama and Zack Collins next season.
This unconventional lineup will feature three players 6’9 or taller, including Wimpanyama’s 7’4 giant, which could allow them to build a top-10 defense, even with Lillard. On the other side of the ball, Spurs will have enough shooting around Lillard and Wimpanyama to craft a first-class attack, depending on how good Wimpy is out of the gate.
Whether the Spurs have a chance in the Lillard lottery is ultimately up to Portland. He’s under contract for at least three seasons, and while he has some say in where he plays next, Portland could play hardball, forcing Miami to increase their bid or on Lillard to expand his roster. If the latter happens, San Antonio may have a chance.
- Posted on 07/02/2023 at 16:00 PM
- Last updated on 07/02/2023 at 16:00 PM