Conclusion
Many NBA fans from around the league – especially Blazers fans – are going to shout that this trade would never happen.
But those who make that claim are blind to two specific reasons why it absolutely could:
One – At no time in the history of the NBA have star players been on the move more so than they are right now, with seemingly at least one changing locals every year. Then in this situation, there is already a history of upheaval with Lillard and the Blazers and there is no reason to believe that he couldn’t be one of the next players to demand – or be forced – out.
Two – For those who believe that the value Phoenix offered is unequal to the value of Lillard, you are partially correct. But allow me to make one additional point: rarely if ever are stars traded for stars.
Look at every move of a star in recent history and tell if the undisputed majority of them aren’t traded for role players and draft picks?
So to that point, Lillard will never be traded for the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns, Kristaps Porzinigis, or Devin Booker.
Teams trade for stars to place next to other stars, they do not swap their stars and otherwise tread water.
That said, Phoenix is offering two immediate starters in a young scoring small forward in T.J. Warren (who is a tremendous upgrade over both forwards currently in Portland’s starting lineup), and Josh Jackson, who is oft compared to Clyde Drexler by Eddie Johnson and thus might become the star replacement that homer Blazers fans would initially demand.
The draft picks too allow Portland to speed up it’s “rebuild” (which it essentially would become if/when Lillard is moved) with the opportunity at draft two younger players or use those picks as bait in other trades.
Overall the Blazers’ starting lineup becomes a little better balanced overall with this move, and they are offered extra opportunities in the draft and through trades to improve the roster long-term – while also, unfortunately for them, improving their own draft stock this season with the loss of their best player.
This is also not to mention the savings that Portland acquires with this trade to seek out an additional star themselves through either trade or free agency, as Phoenix would be with this move.