Los Angeles Lakers: 3 Damian Lillard trades that derail LA’s title hopes

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after his three point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter at Moda Center on March 18, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after his three point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second quarter at Moda Center on March 18, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

1. Damian Lillard joins Steph Curry on the Golden State Warriors

Damian Lillard is very similar to Steph Curry and when it comes to plays who can really stretch the floor and knockdown big threes the conversation starts with these two. While they are both point guards, today’s NBA is rather positionless and the Warriors could definitely make it work with them two.

It would be extremely dangerous. Curry is more of a facilitator than Lillard so it works out percetly and as long as Lillard buys into the ball movement in Golden State and does not try to play hero ball then this would be the best team in the league.

We got a break when Kevin Durant left the team and then the Warriors would be right back with a super team. The scary part is that they have the trade capital to get it done. A deal could look something like:

That is a lot of draft picks but this is a superstar who is one of the 10 best players in the league who still has multiple years under contract. All in all, the Warriors would be sending six first-round picks (three of which are pick swaps) and the no. 2 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, James Wiseman.

This is along the lines of what Lillard will get as it is similar to what Houston got for James Harden plus it has a young asset that Portland could look to develop. Portland could then flip its other assets for more young talent and capital and reset, building around Wiseman.