The NBA rumor mill came out in full force this weekend. Shortly after the news of the Portland Trail Blazers intention to hire Chauncey Billups as head coach, Damian Lillard got some backlash for it. As a result, Yahoo’s Chris Haynes reported on a possible stir this has caused.
“The enormous backlash from the Portland Trail Blazers’ process to hire a new coach and his concerns on whether a championship contender can be built have become factors that may push the franchise player — Damian Lillard — out the door, league sources told Yahoo Sports.” Haynes wrote.
“Lillard has remained loyal to Portland in large part due to the tremendous fan base.” Haynes continued. “But over the last few days, he’s seen some of those same fans attacking him on social media for a pending coaching hire he played no part in consummating, sources said.”
Haynes is known to have a relationship with the Portland All-Star, making the news ever more likely. So what were the social media attacks he referenced? Here is one example and one Lillard clapped back to.
After being eliminated from the playoffs, chatter of Damian Lillard possibly wanting out of Portland began, and this weekend only furthered the conversation. If Lillard does request a trade, he instantly becomes the best name on the market. So when the conversation started, one of the first teams reportedly interested was the New York Knicks.
Knicks fans rushed to the trade machine and put together their best deals.
However, fans weren’t the only people to work at it. SNY’s Ian Begley went on the record reporting that the Knicks are looking into a possible deal. He also reported that the team had been doing their homework on Lillard for weeks now.
Damian Lillard To New York?
With New York’s interest confirmed, it’s about how? Surely Lillard will demand a large price tag. The superstar point guard is locked in his contract through 2024-25. That contract could make it easier to deal other key young players. Their key young players may be the assets necessary to make a trade.
The conversation became a trending topic on Twitter after a trade proposal went viral. The trade includes young Knick stars Immanuel Quickley, RJ Barrett, and first-round draft pick Obi Toppin. The proposed trade also included four Knick’s draft picks.
The deal was not universally accepted among the New York faithful. Many questioned if that would be giving up too much. Both RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley became fan favorites in the Knicks playoff run. Quickley was crucial in New York’s elevated play and improvements offensively. Barrett also made strides in his sophomore campaign averaging 17.6 points and shot 40.1 percent from three.
Eighth overall pick Obi Toppin failed to live up to expectations in his rookie year. The forward averaged a mere 4.1 points per game and just over 2 rebounds a game. However, the athletic big still showed signs of potential and is a good trade piece. Rim-defending center Mitchell Robinson has also been a possible name in discussion in the deal.
Is the deal worth it?
The Knicks ended their seven-year playoff drought this season, and New York fell in love with this team. Their love for this underdog bunch had fans celebrating a first round victory at MSG like they won an NBA title. Fans flocked across 7th avenue outside of MSG after the game two victory. The Knicks improbable run causes a hesitancy to part with the players that were part of the New York rebuild. Especially as they made the playoffs ahead of schedule.
However, more concerning than dealing the players might be the multiple draft picks. The Knicks don’t have comparable draft assets as teams like the Thunder do. Dealing a high number of draft picks has been devastating to teams in the past when the win now move does not pay off. With the players and picks in the deal it raises the question, is it worth it?
Absolutely it is.
Damian Lillard is a top three point guard in the NBA, and most importantly he is under contract through 2025. Lillard has the potential to elevate whichever franchise he playing for. While Barrett and Quickley each had a great season and showed major upside, Lillard is better than the two will ever hope to be. And Dame Time is still in his prime. How can you not want that starring at MSG?
If a player like Lillard is available in his prime, how could you not look to acquire him? While the young stars in trade discussions have major potential, nowhere near that of Dame’s talent, however. The hardest piece of the deal is the unknown of the draft picks and how valuable those may be? If it doesn’t work out with Lillard, does dealing draft picks set the franchise back? In all honesty, it could.
However, if you look deeper into the situation in New York they may be one team in the best position to deal draft picks. The Knicks have an $56 million in estimated salary cap space next season. This gives them the ability to absorb Damian’s contract and have some additional wiggle room along with it. Lillard also could be the piece that finally attracts top-tier free agents to the mecca.
There is a long list of pros to this deal and very little cons when it applies to trading for Damian Lillard. How could New York not make that trade? Doing so could result in more celebrations on 7th avenue.
