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

By Jason Reed

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 Steph Chambers/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Damian Lillard gets traded to New Orleans for a former Laker

This is the package that makes the most sense to me. When you look around the league in regards to a Damian Lillard trade, the type of team that makes the most sense is the team that may be desperate to go after Lillard to push them over the edge.

Not a lot of contending teams have that desperation nor the capital to pull something off. That is why the Warriors and 76ers are such unique situations.

Then you have teams like the New York Knicks, who definitely could put together a package for Lillard but they are not going to ruin anything for the Lakers. Lillard and a bunch of average to below-average role players. Where have we seen that before?

Oh, wait.

A much scarier team that is in a similar situation as the Knicks is the New Orleans Pelicans. The Pelicans have the best third-year player in the league in Zion Williamson, who is a legitimate MVP candidate next season. They also have the assets to pull something special off.

This is the perfect blend of the Golden State and Philadelphia packages. The Blazers would get a young asset that they can build around in the immediate future that also happens to already be an all-star so they can still spin that in a positive light.

They also add a promising young role player via a sign-and-trade in Josh Hart to make the salaries match. On top of an all-star and a solid role player, Portland gets four first-round picks in this deal.

New Orleans can afford this as they are swimming in first-round picks from the Lakers and Bucks. This would be the team betting on itself and trading its own picks away, hoping that the Lakers and Bucks will make up for it.

The Pelicans have the desperation check to do this. There are rumblings of Zion Williamson’s family wanting him out of New Orleans and the best way to convince him to stay is by giving him one of the 10 best players in the league.

Next. 50 greatest Lakers of all-time. dark

And if Zion takes that leap in year three to being a top-10 player in the league and an MVP candidate then the Pelicans would instantly be the Los Angeles Lakers’ biggest challenge in the Western Conference.

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