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Damian Lillard trade may create nightmarish ripple effect for Lakers

By Jason Reed

PORTLAND, OREGON - JANUARY 22: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the first half at Moda Center on January 22, 2023 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 - JANUARY 22: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during the first half at Moda Center on January 22, 2023 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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Not much has been going on in the NBA, which made Wednesday’s Woj Bomb even more surprising. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Damian Lillard in a multi-team trade with the Portland Trail Blazers. It did not directly include the Los Angeles Lakers, but can have a big impact on the team.

The skeleton of the deal includes Deandre Ayton, Jrue Holiday and other capital going to Portland in the trade. Phoenix pulls off the three-for-one that gets Ayton out of town for more depth and the Bucks get a second superstar to play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.

The Giannis-Dame pairing will only truly impact the Lakers if they face the Bucks in the NBA Finals. Instead, it is Holiday’s inclusion in this trade that could create a real nightmare for Los Angeles.

Jrue Holiday being in the Damian Lillard trade can create a nightmarish situation for the Lakers

There is no denying that theLakers are one of the true title contenders in the Western Conference heading into the 2023-24 season. Holiday is someone who can make the team’s path to the NBA Finals much more difficult.

Holiday may be past his prime and he may not be on the same level as Lillard but he is still a very valuable player for a contending team. Holiday is one of the best backcourt defenders in the sport and has an offensive impact that makes him one of the game’s premium two-way players.

Contending teams are going to be lining up to try and redirect Holiday from Portland, which seems like it is the most likely situation as of now. Teams such as the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, and even the rivaled Boston Celtics have been named as potential suitors for Holiday in a trade.

Boston would not really impact LA’s title chase by trading for Holiday but it would be unfortunate to see a rival get even better. Holiday in LA or the Bay absolutely would impact the Lakers’ title chase, however, and could be the difference in a potential playoff series.

The Blazers have no real reason to keep Holiday around and the Lake Show needs to hope that he somehow gets rerouted back to the Eastern Conference. Having to potentially see him seven times in a playoff series is bad news.

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