Damian Lillard Prediction Thread

[60WinTim]

You are sleeping on NY, Lip!

[Lipoli390]

You are sleeping on NY, Lip!

I was thinking about the Knicks, but concluded that he Lillard wouldn’t be an optimal fit with Brunson. So I don’t think the Knicks will give up what it takes to get him. However, to your point, the Knicks are loaded with the sorts of assets that the Blazers would want - lots of future picks and some young players with upside like Mitchell Robinson, Quickley, Grimes, and Barrett.

[Sundog]

I was listening to the most recent Lowe post pod yesterday, he and John Hollinger were discussing possible Dame trades. There just doesn’t seem to be great options for the Blazers. The Celtics probably have the best package of players and picks, but Hollinger pointed out Boston would be a hugely expensive team if the trades for Dame and kept Brown, Tatum, Pozingis.

They discussed Tim’s Dame for KAT trade, initially dismissing it, but after discussing it for a few moments labeled it “interesting.”

[Lipoli390]

I was listening to the most recent Lowe post pod yesterday, he and John Hollinger were discussing possible Dame trades. There just doesn’t seem to be great options for the Blazers. The Celtics probably have the best package of players and picks, but Hollinger pointed out Boston would be a hugely expensive team if the trades for Dame and kept Brown, Tatum, Pozingis.

They discussed Tim’s Dame for KAT trade, initially dismissing it, but after discussing it for a few moments labeled it “interesting.”

I’d like to hear more about how a KAT/Lillard swap would work for Portland. We don’t have any first round picks to offer and a limited number of 2nds. At a minimum we’d have to include Minott, Miller or both for it to make sense for Portland. But would we really want to do that — giving up our only two promising young players with our draft cupboard already depleted? Unless we’re willing to include Jaden McDaniels, I don’t see Portland going for a KAT-Dame deal. Trading Dame means rebuilding and getting KAT without future 1st round picks AND young talent doesn’t make sense for Portland. Now if the Blazers want to pivot back to keeping Lillard and trying to contend, a KAT-Scoot deal makes sense for both teams.

[Sundog]

The general sense was that KAT would anchor the Blazers while the young’uns grow and learn the NBA game. It’d allow them not to lose nearly as much, something that some GMs feel helps with the development of young players, plus give blazer fans a reason to show up this year.

But you’re right, it’d take KAT plus Wolves’ young talent.

[Lipoli390]

The general sense was that KAT would anchor the Blazers while the young’uns grow and learn the NBA game. It’d allow them not to lose nearly as much, something that some GMs feel helps with the development of young players, plus give blazer fans a reason to show up this year.

Interesting, but that doesn’t resonate at all with me. I’m one of KAT’s biggest supporters, but he’s not a guy I’d bring in to anchor a team of young players and I suspect my sentiment is widely reflected among NBA front office executives, including Portland’s execs. Moreover, it’s been widely reported that the Blazers are seeking at least four future 1st-round picks and one or two young players with upside. That report makes sense because that’s what rebuilding teams typically want and need. The first-round pick Portland owes Chicago is lottery protected through 2028 at which point it converts to 2 second-round picks. If I’m Portland, I’d want to bring in more 1st round picks from another team AND stay in the lottery for at least a couple more seasons to load up on young talent that can develop with Scoot and Sharpe.

As for fan interest, the Blazers are Portland’s only professional sports team. They’ll have no trouble maintaining fan interest, especially with some exciting young, athletic players like Scoot and Sharpe on the floor.