Hoops Habit
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NBA Trade Deadline: Every Team’s Most Untouchable Asset

By Maxwell Ogden

Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Chris Paul (3) and forward Blake Griffin (32) during an NBA game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 10, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after making a three point basket against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 10, 2016; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) reacts after making a three point basket against the Houston Rockets during the second quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /

Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard

This past offseason, Portland Trail Blazers lost five players who spent a significant measure of time in the starting lineup. Arron Afflalo, LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum, Robin Lopez, and Wesley Matthews all departed via free agency or a trade.

The only remaining player, Damian Lillard, is in the process of proving that he can lead Portland to the playoffs without their help.

Lillard is off to a scorching start to the season, averaging 24.3 points, 7.3 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.0 steal, and 2.9 3-point field goals for the 27-27 Trail Blazers. He’s doing so on efficient marks of 36.3 percent from 3-point range and 86.1 percent from the free throw line.

He didn’t make the All-Star Game—seriously, how in the world does that happen?—but Lillard is safe and secure as one of the NBA’s premier players.

Lillard joins James Harden and Russell Westbrook as the only three players averaging at least 24.0 points and 7.0 assists in 2015-16. Since 2010, only three other players can claim to have done that: Stephen Curry, LeBron James and Derrick Rose—all of whom have won at least one MVP award.

It’s safe to say Lillard is living up to the post-Aldridge hype.

Next: Sacramento Kings