Valley of the Suns
Fansided

The Phoenix Suns’ best trade offer for Damian Lillard

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on October 18, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers handles the ball against the Phoenix Suns on October 18, 2017 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 3: Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during a preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 3, 2017 at the Moda Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 3: Josh Jackson #20 of the Phoenix Suns shoots the ball during a preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 3, 2017 at the Moda Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Why the Blazers would do it

Yes, the question of why the Blazers would do it needs to be answered, but the secondary question of why Damian Lillard would do it is equally as important.

First, it was widely discussed last season that Lillard was unhappy with Portland’s path, believing that there wasn’t enough talent on the roster to truly compete for a championship. He and owner Paul Allen reportedly had a much publicized meeting that many speculated was Lillard demanding a trade, which, if so never materialized. Lillard eventually expressed his public wish to remain a Blazer and the two sides moved forward into the playoffs.

But then his worst fears were realized:

Not only were the 3-seed Blazers handily  swept in the first round by the 6-seed New Orleans Pelicans, but Portland did absolutely nothing  this offseason to improve the roster in anyway over last year’s incarnation, and even drafted a project of all projects in the first round, Anfernee Simons, a kid who never played in college and if he ever develops into a decent NBA player, won’t be ready to compete at a high level for several years.

There is every reason to believe that the now 28-year-old Lillard believes that his prime years are now fading away and that he will never have an opportunity to win a championship in Portland. The rosteras currently constructed is weak, it overachieved last season in the regular season (as proven by their pitiful playoff performance), and if Lillard was truly frustrated with the franchise’s direction last season, he cannot be happy with their lack of growth this offseason and the potential for a serious regression this coming year.

The Blazers might then be forced  to make a change at point guard because Lillard might force  their hand, and therefore his way out.

While I doubt that this trade happens before the season simply because the Blazers are likely holding onto the sliver of hope that somehow their star backcourt can carry the team to the promised land, if even a month into the season their record is no better than .500 and the Blazers begin to slip out of playoff contention (even though they were the 3-seed last season, they were only three games away from missing the playoffs entirely), Lillard might finally demand out.

At that point, the Suns can swoop in.

Home/Suns News