Poll: Could Damian Lillard be an option for this team?

[Smartacus]

Celebrity deaths aside one of the worst parts of 2016 has been that my side piece team Portland has been a vast disappointment particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

They have a flawed roster, an awkward fit in the back court, and are lead by a young, talented, but athletically limited PG who is best known for his burgeoning rap career in Damian Lillard.

For their summer acquisitions...
Evan Turner had a historically disappointing start to the season.
Allen Crabbe has not looked to be near worth his contract.
Festus Ezeli has yet to play a significant minute since signing with the team.

They are currently ranked dead last in defensive efficiency, are probably one of the only teams that are seriously looking at being constrained by the newly risen cap and have a tough call coming up this off season with their starting center Mason Plumlee.

At the center of all of the criticism has been the team's best player Damian Lillard. Stories are surfacing that he's been asked to call out his teammates for poor defensive effort but feels that he cant since his own D is so suspect. He's publicly stated that the team "kind of sucks" right now. In general he's losing his rep as a silent assassin, and starting to be viewed more as a moody, if talented, diva.

In the last 2 games since he's been injured Portland has held opponents to 95 and 89 points respectively and seem to be playing more cohesively behind the primary ball handling of CJ McCollum and Evan Turner.

No rumor or anything to back this up but get's me thinking...

A. Could Damian Lillard become available?
B. If yes which Washingtonian would they want from our back court between Isaiah and Bradley?
C. Depending on which of them what else would we need to give up?
D. Should we even want to add Damian Lillard?

What do you think? Lateral move since we have Isaiah or consolidation of assets that could put us over the top? I'd imagine Lillard would be on board to get him out of the Point guard crucible that is the western conference, question is should we interested?

[Irish Stew]

Lillard, McCollum, Crabbe, and Turner will make a combined $86+ million next year. Seems like a poorly constructed roster. You're right. Maybe we can do business there?

[Roy H.]

Stats Comparison

If you compare their stats, and then their attitudes, it's a largely lateral move.

[Who]

Portland aren't going to move Lillard.

They'll move other guys before they make him available.

[Celtics4ever]

This would really help our size issues, NOT!

[Moranis]

Stats Comparison

If you compare their stats, and then their attitudes, it's a largely lateral move.

I believe Lillard is better and enough better to be noticeable, but I'm not sure he is enough better that the cost would make sense to acquire him.

[Smartacus]

Stats Comparison

If you compare their stats, and then their attitudes, it's a largely lateral move.

I believe Lillard is better and enough better to be noticeable, but I'm not sure he is enough better that the cost would make sense to acquire him.

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hwpbuz2

See this is where I am with it. Reaches the point where it gains some credence is because ours would be the kind of return that could entice them to shake up that roster. What other team could offer 2 all-star-caliber in Seattle area based players.

Meanwhile we roll with Dame Smart Rozier and get the restricted match rights on Mason Plumlee. Maybe see if Arlington native Pat Connaughton can play as well.

Just think there is still value upgrading to one of the top three scoring guards in the league in Damain Lillard. Smart could be an incredible fit with him too.

[Roy H.]

Stats Comparison

If you compare their stats, and then their attitudes, it's a largely lateral move.

I believe Lillard is better and enough better to be noticeable, but I'm not sure he is enough better that the cost would make sense to acquire him.

I think IT is a better defender (due to effort) and a better leader. Plus, he loves Boston and has been a vocal recruiter.  Lillard may be slightly better offensively, but not so much so that it counteracts other intangibles.

Then, as you said, add in other assets and it makes little sense for us.

[Roy H.]

Stats Comparison

If you compare their stats, and then their attitudes, it's a largely lateral move.

I believe Lillard is better and enough better to be noticeable, but I'm not sure he is enough better that the cost would make sense to acquire him.

http://www.espn.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=hwpbuz2

See this is where I am with it. Reaches the point where it gains some credence is because ours would be the kind of return that could entice them to shake up that roster. What other team could offer 2 all-star-caliber in Seattle area based players.

Meanwhile we roll with Dame Smart Rozier and get the restricted match rights on Mason Plumlee. Maybe see if Arlington native Pat Connaughton can play as well.

Just think there is still value upgrading to one of the top three scoring guards in the league in Damain Lillard. Smart could be an incredible fit with him too.

How does this make us better?

[Smartacus]

Stats Comparison

If you compare their stats, and then their attitudes, it's a largely lateral move.

I believe Lillard is better and enough better to be noticeable, but I'm not sure he is enough better that the cost would make sense to acquire him.

I think IT is a better defender (due to effort) and a better leader. Plus, he loves Boston and has been a vocal recruiter.  Lillard may be slightly better offensively, but not so much so that it counteracts other intangibles.

Fair enough, and agree on all those points.

This trade's anything but a sure thing but it's one of those where if we were going to trade IT somewhere Portland is geographically the closest to his family, I know he's active with the community out there so I don't think he'd feel betrayed if we sent him to this one particular team.

[Roy H.]

Stats Comparison

If you compare their stats, and then their attitudes, it's a largely lateral move.

I believe Lillard is better and enough better to be noticeable, but I'm not sure he is enough better that the cost would make sense to acquire him.

I think IT is a better defender (due to effort) and a better leader. Plus, he loves Boston and has been a vocal recruiter.  Lillard may be slightly better offensively, but not so much so that it counteracts other intangibles.

Fair enough, and agree on all those points.

This trade's anything but a sure thing but it's one of those where if we were going to trade IT somewhere Portland is geographically the closest to his family, I know he's active with the community out there so I don't think he'd feel betrayed if we sent him to this one particular team.

If we're going to move on from IT, Lillard makes sense. I'd prefer IT, though, and I'd be very squeamish about including AB, too.

[Eddie20]

Stats Comparison

If you compare their stats, and then their attitudes, it's a largely lateral move.

I believe Lillard is better and enough better to be noticeable, but I'm not sure he is enough better that the cost would make sense to acquire him.

I think IT is a better defender (due to effort) and a better leader. Plus, he loves Boston and has been a vocal recruiter.  Lillard may be slightly better offensively, but not so much so that it counteracts other intangibles.

Then, as you said, add in other assets and it makes little sense for us.

How is Thomas a better leader? Lillard is said to be one of the best leaders in the game and one of hardest working players there is. His gym rat mentality has teammates following his lead in that regard.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/15491511/lillard-leadership-makes-portland-winner

[Eddie20]

OP, you said Lillard was athletically limited? Are you sure about that?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hKkcXDJ3Lyg

[Moranis]

Stats Comparison

If you compare their stats, and then their attitudes, it's a largely lateral move.

I believe Lillard is better and enough better to be noticeable, but I'm not sure he is enough better that the cost would make sense to acquire him.

I think IT is a better defender (due to effort) and a better leader. Plus, he loves Boston and has been a vocal recruiter.  Lillard may be slightly better offensively, but not so much so that it counteracts other intangibles.

Fair enough, and agree on all those points.

This trade's anything but a sure thing but it's one of those where if we were going to trade IT somewhere Portland is geographically the closest to his family, I know he's active with the community out there so I don't think he'd feel betrayed if we sent him to this one particular team.

If we're going to move on from IT, Lillard makes sense. I'd prefer IT, though, and I'd be very squeamish about including AB, too.

Yeah no way I would do Thomas and Bradley for Lillard.  Thomas and some other asset I'd certainly consider. 

Now I'd do a much larger trade

Thomas, Crowder, Rozier, Johnson, Young, BOS 18 1st, MIN 17 2nd

for

Lillard, Plumlee, Aminu, Connaughton, Quarterman

Upgrade PG and C with a downgrade at SF and the bench.  I think that sort of trade makes Boston a better team as Plumlee is a good fit next Horford and will help immensely with the interior problems. 

All that said, I don't think Portland trades Lillard so I don't know why I'm proposing trades for him.

[Donoghus]

Stats Comparison

If you compare their stats, and then their attitudes, it's a largely lateral move.

Echoes my thoughts.  At the cost, it doesn't make much sense.