(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
The Portland Trail Blazers are reportedly in no rush to get a deal for Damian Lillard done.
Moreover, they’ve made it clear that they won’t let their star player call the shots in negotiations, citing that they will only make a decision about his future if it’s right for the organization.
Lillard has formally requested to be traded, and more specifically, be traded to the Miami Heat.
However, the Blazers have been less than impressed with the Heat’s offers for his services.
On the other hand, Ramona Shelbourne of ESPN (via Legion Hoops) reports that the Boston Celtics are interested in trading for the multi-time All-Star, adding that they have the assets to get a deal done.
REPORT: The Celtics have expressed interest in Damian Lillard and have the assets to get it done, per @ramonashelburne pic.twitter.com/AzRSl9D3uU
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 5, 2023
Another report cited that Jayson Tatum was actually recruiting Lillard to join him in Boston, so there must be some truth to this.
Even so, trading for Lillard pretty much means Jaylen Brown needs to go, and not just for salary purposes.
He’d instantly become the best player for the Blazers, who’d try and build their roster around him and his more-than-likely supermax contract extension.
Replacing Brown and Marcus Smart for Damian Lillard and Kristaps Porzingis would cement Brad Stevens as one of the best GMs in the league already, even if they commit most of their money to just three players, a complicated issue with this new CBA set to take over.
Still, it remains to be seen if the Celtics would be willing to give up so many assets to get a player like Lillard, given the fact that he’s made it clear that he only wants to play for the Heat.
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