NBA Trades: 6 Deals Portland must consider for Damian Lillard
By Cal Durrett
NBA Trades #1: San Antonio Spurs
Although the San Antonio Spurs are perhaps the most random inclusion on this list, they have some of the best assets in the NBA to trade. Headlining their trade proposal would be Keldon Johnson, who, at 23, averaged 22 points per game last season. He is also on a declining contract that will pay him less than $20 million a season over the next four years.
They can also offer sharpshooter Doug McDermott, who’s on an expiring contract and could be moved at the trade deadline for a couple of second-round picks, and Devonte Graham. Moving Johnson, McDermott, and Graham, as well as Toronto’s top-six protected first in 2024, Charlotte’s top-14 protected 2024 first, and Atlanta’s unprotected 2025 first for Lillard, would potentially make the Spurs a contender.
That will depend on Victor Wembanyama and whether Devin Vassell can take another big leap next season. On the other hand, Portland would be able to add Johnson to a promising young core that includes Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, and Shaedon Sharpe, while also getting two potential lottery picks out of the deal.
Next. Miami’s high-stakes pursuit of Lillard is at risk of backfiring. dark
That is a strong return for an aging star and would probably make the Blazers think strongly about moving him to San Antonio. Whether San Antonio would is unclear, but they certainly have the assets to acquire Lillard.