The Boston Celtics reached their fifth Conference Finals in seven years, but a disappointing fourth-round exit left them ready to make moves. They’ve already traded Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis and two first-round draft picks. Boston also allowed Grant Williams to walk, but the blockbuster trade still loomed. There is no bigger name on the market than Damien LillardCeltics have them Express interest.
Getting the seven-time point guard from the Blazers doesn’t mean trading Jaylen Brown. There will be salary issues down the road, especially if they plan to re-sign the Browns to a Supermax extension, but the Celtics can do it all in hopes of winning the title in 2024.
Lillard is an indisputable superstar and one of the 15 best players in the NBA, but should Boston trade him for it? The seven-time All-Star wants to get out of Portland to play a rival. Hit-top favorite Lillard, but if the Blazers refuse to trade Miami, the Celtics could quickly jump to the front of the line.
Do the Boston Celtics want to go all out to get Damian Lillard?
Lillard will give the C’s an elite guard, shooter, and ball handler to set up Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis. The starting five will be dangerous and arguably the best in the league. Dame’s trading will affect the Celtics’ depth, but the shrinking turnover in the playoffs will lessen the impact.
The Trail Blazers will go into a rebuild if they replace Lillard, so Boston should try to keep Derrick White and Al Horford to face any opponent in the playoffs.
Boston’s ingenuity and resilience would make them a title favorite if they were traded for Damian Lillard, but how much would they have to give up to win a seven-time All-Star?
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