Grade the trade: Lakers outbid Heat for Damian Lillard in proposed deal

What a Lakers trade for Damian Lillard would look like:

It would take some fan favorites getting sent to the Portland Trail Blazers for Dame. Los Angeles also does not have as many draft picks to offer, so the hope would be that the young talent sent to Portland would be enough to convince the team to pass on another package that might have an extra pick or two.

This is based on a package that was first floated out by our friends at the Lakers Legacy Podcast. Their foundational package was slightly different, as we tweaked ours to include Vincent to make the money work.

There is a lot going on in this package. As mentioned, this trade would only be possible at or near the deadline as the Lakers cannot physically trade away several of the players in this deal. However, come February, the Lakers could sacrifice all of the backcourt depth for a superstar if there is internal pressure from LeBron.

The Lakers’ 2027 first-round pick is currently slated to go to the Utah Jazz (top-four protected) and converts to a second-round pick if it is in the top-four, so LA has the ability to trade the 2028 first as a swap. The 2029 first would be unprotected and because of the Stepien Rule, the 2030 pick would have to be a swap as well.

This sells most of the Lakers’ tradeable future picks but they still have two of their next three draft picks. LA simply cannot trade them because the Pelicans have the right to either take a pick in 2024 or 2025, which holds the Lakers’ trading ability hostage.

So, this would give the Lakers another superstar and a big three consisting of LeBron, Anthony Davis and Damian Lillard. But would it be worth it? Before you hammer us on social media one way or another, let’s dive into the grades.